Sorbus aucuparia Fastigiata - Rowan

Sorbus aucuparia 'Fastigiata' is a form of rowan tree with a fastigiate habit, narrower than that of the rowan found in the countryside. It is a small upright tree adorned with beautiful pinnate, green leaves, which take on warm yellow hues in autumn. It offers a spring flowering, white and honey-producing, followed by clusters of round, red berries that are appreciated by birds. It is very hardy and accommodating in terms of soil and climate.

The rowan tree, scientifically known as Sorbus aucuparia, can reach around fifteen metres in height, growing spontaneously in hedges, along pathways, or at the edges of woods. Its natural distribution area is remarkably vast as it covers a large part of Europe, Russia, temperate Asia, and extends to Japan. Its great hardiness and tolerance to many different natural conditions, whether in terms of soil or climate, explain its capacity for expansion. In the countryside, its berries serve as a larder for wild birds.
A member of the large family of Rosaceae, there are dozens of species of rowans, with Sorbus aucuparia being one of the most common.

Sorbus aucuparia 'Fastigiata' forms a small tree with an upright, narrow columnar habit, becoming more conical with age. At maturity, it reaches between 5 and 8 m in height with a spread of 2 m to 3.50 m. Its large odd-pinnate leaves are composed of 11 to 15 toothed, dull dark green leaflets. The flowering in white umbels of about 12 cm in diameter appears around May to June. It exudes a musky fragrance that attracts bees. The flowers then give way to heavy clusters of very decorative, bright red fruits, measuring 1 cm or more in diameter. They delight the birds that feed on them until around the end of the year. In autumn, the foliage takes on a yellow or even orange hue, depending on the situation.
This fastigiate rowan should be planted in non-scorching sunlight. This very cold-resistant small tree is undemanding in terms of soil. It can thrive in poor soil, which is moist but not too dry in summer.

This rowan tree 'Fastigiata' is suitable for modest or medium-sized gardens, but also for larger areas. It can be planted as a specimen tree, in a large shrub bed, or in front of a backdrop of taller trees. It pairs easily with shrubs such as Cotinus 'Royal Purple' with its purple foliage, the wayfaring tree (Viburnum lantana), melliferous, which boasts beautiful autumn foliage, and Rosa rugosa 'Hansa' which produces well-scented double purple flowers and decorative rose hips. Cornus sanguinea 'Magic Flame', with its fire-orange autumn colours and vividly coloured stems in winter, provides visual interest throughout the year. Finally, the European spindle tree (Euonymus europaeus 'Red Cascade'), adorned with pink and orange fruits and striking foliage at the end of the season, harmonises beautifully with the berries of the 'Fastigiata' rowan. When planted together, these shrubs create a dynamic and colourful scene that will enliven the garden in every season.