Sorbus aucuparia

Rowan hedge (Sorbus aucuparia) description

Rowan is a native hedging species, tolerant of the unpredictable UK weather and great for providing seasonal interest. Rowan hedges are suited to a normal, well-drained soil in full sun and boast attractive, slender leaves that form an impressive backdrop for the white summer flowers and the clusters of orange-red autumn berries. These striking berries are a favourite amongst hungry birds and, in the past, were used as bait by bird catchers; relating to the meaning of the Latin name Aucuparia, ‘to catch birds’.

Ever considered foraging your own hedgerow? See our edible hedging plants for inspiration.

Best uses for Mountain Ash hedges

Rowan is popularly used in a mixed native hedge but also looks wonderful planted in a cottage or informal garden, providing huge wildlife interest. This hardy hedge plant is also tolerant of pollution and so can handle city or urban positions.

Combine Rowan with

Blackthorn hedging for a variety of different berries, or our other native hedging species to create a diverse, edible hedgerow.

Growth rate of Sorbus aucuparia hedging

Mountain Ash hedges have an average growth rate, achieving about 20 - 40cm per year and are ideal for desired hedge heights of 1 - 4m.

Care and pruning advice for Sorbus plants

As Rowan hedges are fairly low maintenance, no routine pruning is needed. However, we recommend giving your Sorbus acuparia hedge a light prune in late winter-early spring to remove any diseased or damaged branches. Take a look at our hedging care advice section for further pruning information.

Planting density recommendation for Rowan hedge plants

For information on planting density specific to Rowan hedge plants, please see the product table. In the 'No. Per Metre' column, you will find our recommended plant density for each individual plant species and root type.

Rowan plants are available to purchase year-round as cell grown and pot grown plants. Mountain Ash hedging is also available in bare root form for delivery between October-late April/early May, and can be pre-ordered from mid-summer.

The majority of our Sorbus hedge plants are UK grown by on-site experts with years of nursery growing experience. Occasionally, we do source Rowan hedging from outside of the UK. In this instance, we go to every measure to ensure our suppliers are unbeaten on quality. At best4hedging, we strive to provide the freshest plants at the highest possible standard, all whilst providing competitive prices. Rest assured, you can buy Rowan hedging plants online with complete confidence.