White-berried Rowan/Mountain Ash

Sorbus glabrescens is a charming, small to medium-sized deciduous tree that is particularly valued for its elegant fruit. While many rowans have red or orange berries, this species produces clusters of large, porcelain-white fruits that contrast beautifully with the autumn foliage. The leaves are pinnate, consisting of many small leaflets that turn gorgeous shades of pink, orange, and red in the autumn before falling to reveal the white berries hanging on the bare branches. In late spring, it carries corymbs of small, white flowers that are a magnet for pollinators. It has an upright, slightly spreading habit and is very hardy (H6). Like most rowans, it prefers a cool, moist, but well-drained soil and will not thrive in very dry or waterlogged conditions. It is an excellent specimen for a suburban garden, providing a sophisticated alternative to the more common red-berried types and offering a long period of visual interest throughout the autumn and winter.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Moist, well-drained loam.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: May, Jun.