Rowan Sorbus aucuparia
Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Rosaceae family, native to Europe and western Asia. It grows 6–12 m (20–39 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -40 °C (-40 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Rowan in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Rowan at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Mature height | 6–12 m (20–39 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -40 °C (-40 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: cooked berries (jelly) |
| Native to | Europe and western Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland |
Is Rowan toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: raw berries, seeds
Raw berries contain parasorbic acid, which causes stomach upset; cooking removes it.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Rowan
Good neighbours
- good With Garlic chives: Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal. Evidence D
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Common juniper: Gymnosporangium rust fungi spend part of their life on common juniper and part on rowan and related Sorbus; both being nearby sustains the cycle. Evidence B
Shared pests and diseases
- Fire blight: Fire blight bacteria are carried by bees and rain between apples, pears, quince, hawthorn, cotoneaster and firethorn. Evidence B
See Rowan in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (6 plants)
Questions about Rowan
- How far apart should I plant Rowan?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Rowan need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Rowan need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Rowan?
- It tolerates about -40 °C (-40 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Rowan flower?
- From about May for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Rowan poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Raw berries contain parasorbic acid, which causes stomach upset; cooking removes it.
- What grows well with Rowan?
- Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Short-lived (about 40-60 years), best in cool climates and on acid to neutral soil; berries are a major bird food.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
- Raspberry Rubus idaeus
- Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.
- Garden rose Rosa x hybrida
- Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata