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Mountain ash is popular with landscape designers and gardeners for a reason: in addition to picturesque clusters, graceful foliage and bright fruits, trees and shrubs have a high level of frost resistance and undemanding care. Below are popular varieties of mountain ash with photos, names and descriptions of plants.
Variety of species and varieties of mountain ash
Depending on the crop variety, the size of the trees may vary: the height of the reduced mountain ash is no more than 60 cm, and the size of the Tibetan mountain ash often exceeds 20 m. Low-growing varieties of mountain ash are actively used to decorate small garden plots.
In the autumn, the rowan foliage changes its color, and the clusters acquire a rich red, orange, yellow, pink or white color. The diameter of the fruit, on average, is 1 cm, which is why they are often called berries, but in fact they are miniature apples. Their bright color attracts many birds to the garden, and the white and yellow fruits, due to their unattractiveness to birds, remain on the branches for the winter. Rowan foliage can have both a complex (pinnate) and a simple shape with a single leaf blade and one petiole. The pinnate leaf plate is with serrated edges, has a length of 10 to 30 cm. The tree also has small white or cream (sometimes with a pinkish tint) flowers that form paniculate or corymbose inflorescences from 5 to 20 cm in diameter. They bloom in spring or early summer. Young trees have smooth bark, which gradually cracks with age.
To date, many varieties of mountain ash have been discovered, which are actively used for landscape purposes. Each species has its own unique appearance, as well as decorative qualities and features.
Mountain ash
This variety is the best option for central Our Country. The plant can often be found in the wild, in Europe, Siberia, the Far East, and North Africa.
In adulthood, the tree can reach up to 15 m in height, it is often found in the form of a large shrub. This plant has large, openwork-shaped, odd-pinnate dark green leaves that change color to yellow, orange and red in autumn.
The flowering time of mountain ash is the end of July, with a period of about 7 – 14 days. Small beige flowers sprout on the tree, which form large corymbose inflorescences. They are characterized by a strong specific aroma, reminiscent of fish.
This variety of mountain ash is characterized by red sweet berries that begin their ripening at the end of summer and remain on the tree until the onset of frost.
Rowan ordinary is characterized by undemanding care. Its reproduction takes place by seed, sometimes the method of grafting is also used. Today, many decorative forms of this species have been discovered, each of which differs in the shape of the crown (spreading, weeping or pyramidal), the color and taste of the fruit, as well as the deciduous color (white-motley, golden, etc.). Trees of this variety are often used for planting in garden plots and park areas: both for complex compositions and as single specimens.
Rowan nevezhinskaya
A distinctive feature of Nevezhinsky mountain ash is its fruits without characteristic bitterness. The homeland of this species is the village of Nevezhino, in the Vladimir region. A few centuries ago, this variety was actively cultivated throughout Central Our Country, and over time, breeders managed to develop a separate group of decorative tree forms. Later they were crossed with other types of mountain ash, as well as with pears, medlar and hawthorn.
Nevezhinskaya mountain ash reaches 10 to 15 m in height in adulthood, has a dense, wide-pyramidal crown. This is a tree with a smooth bark of a pale brown or reddish-burgundy hue and whole, rounded-elliptical leaves with a serrated edge. Young leaves have a white felt color, which eventually becomes green. In mid-autumn, the foliage takes on scarlet and brown hues. The flowering period of the tree begins in June and lasts approximately 7 to 10 days. Small white flowers are collected in large corymbose inflorescences. Edible, round-shaped, the fruits of the tree up to 2 cm in diameter have a rich fiery color, their ripening occurs in September. The fruits of the variety are very juicy, without a tart taste, with a high content of biologically active substances, and the content of vitamin C in them exceeds its concentration in lemon. Nevezhinskaya mountain ash has a high level of frost resistance, tolerates air pollution well. It grows and develops best in alkaline soil. Reproduction occurs with the help of seeds, the plant rarely lends itself to cuttings. This species has several garden ornamental varieties, which are characterized by large inflorescences and golden foliage. The best pollinator for such mountain ash is the Businka variety.
Mountain ash home
Mountain ash domestic, or large-fruited (Crimean), grows throughout Europe (with the exception of its northern parts), Crimea, northwestern Africa and southwestern Asia.
In adulthood, the culture can reach from 15 to 30 cm in height, has a broad pyramidal or spherical crown shape. This is a type of mountain ash with large (up to 20 cm in length) odd-pinnate leaves, similar in appearance to the foliage of mountain ash. Flowering time falls on the first half of June and lasts, on average, 1,5 – 2 weeks. Large wide-pyramidal inflorescences are formed by small white or pinkish flowers up to 2 cm in diameter. This species is also characterized by a high level of winter hardiness and drought resistance, and is practically not attacked by pests. The plant is propagated by seeds. In gardens, this species is actively used to create decorative alleys, as well as as a fruit tree. Fully ripened fruits have a sweet taste, are used both in cooking and for medicinal purposes.
Rowan intermediate (Swedish)
These are trees with an oval crown shape, reaching 10 – 20 m in height, the territory of which is Northern Europe. The species is characterized by smooth gray bark and entire, oblong-ovate leaves that are slightly lobed. In autumn, the foliage of the plant takes on rich scarlet and orange tones. The flowering period of the tree is from the beginning of summer, for 7 to 14 days. In large corymbose inflorescences are small white flowers. Bright red, edible fruits 1 cm in diameter often ripen in mid-August. This species is practically not amenable to cuttings; plants are propagated by seed or grafting. They adapt well to drought, severe frosts and air pollution.
Rowan hybrid
The variety is common in Scandinavia, is a natural hybrid of the intermediate and ordinary mountain ash. An adult tree reaches up to 10 – 15 m in height, young seedlings have a columnar or conical crown, which acquires a rounded shape in adulthood. Whole lobed leaves become rusty-brown in autumn. Flowering begins in late May – early June and lasts about two weeks. Large white flowers, up to 2 cm in diameter, form corymbose inflorescences. This type of mountain ash has many edible varieties with juicy bright red fruits up to 1 cm in diameter, which ripen in September. The culture is best propagated by seed method and cuttings.
Varieties of ordinary rowan
Sorbus ordinary is the most popular type of this plant with many ornamental varieties of various colors, from orange to bright red.
Scarlet large
Mountain ash Scarlet large is one of the most valuable varieties of ordinary mountain ash, refers to the medium-late ripening period. In the process of hybridization, experts used a mixture of pollen from several species of pears. This is a tree of medium height (up to 6 m) with a pyramidal crown of medium density and juicy fruits weighing more than 4 g, which outwardly resemble cherries and are almost not bitter. Cylindrical, slightly flattened, regular-shaped mini-apples have an average weight of 1,7 g and a slightly ribbed scarlet-red surface. They are characterized by a sweet and sour taste and a spicy rowan aftertaste. The variety has a particularly high level of winter hardiness and can adapt to frosts down to -50 ° C. The plant is classified as an early-growing universal variety. The yield of one mature tree, on average, is more than 150 kg.
Bead
Mountain ash Businka belongs to low-growing varieties, its height in adulthood does not exceed 3 m. It is a tree with an average level of crown density of a rounded shape and red-ruby round fruits, the taste of which is very similar to the taste of cranberries. These are fruits with juicy creamy pulp with medium density and sweet and sour taste without bitterness or astringency. Variety “Bead” begins to bear fruit 4-5 years after planting. It is characterized by sun love, a high level of frost resistance and resistance to diseases. The yield level of the variety is stable, good transportability.
Pomegranate
Variety Mountain ash pomegranate is a hybrid of mountain ash and large-fruited hawthorn. A mature plant reaches up to 3 – 4 m in height, has fruits the size of cherries. The fruits have a sweet and sour, slightly tart taste, with little or no bitterness. The variety is also characterized by a high level of winter hardiness and productivity, it begins to bear fruit 3 years after planting.
Beauty
Variety Beauty – a hybrid of mountain ash and pear. It is a tree with a wide pyramidal crown, reaching more than 6 m in height at maturity. The variety has an abundant annual yield. Slightly tart large fruits of a tree weighing up to 2 g have a rich orange-red color and an uncharacteristic oblong shape.
Nadezhda
The Nadezhda variety tree is low, with large (1,8 – 2 g) fruits, which contain a variety of substances valuable to the body. This is one of the fastest and most productive varieties.
Ruby
Variety Rubinovaya is a dwarf plant (2 – 2,3 m in height) with a sprawling crown shape and large fruits (1,8 g) of ruby color with a characteristic sweet and sour taste.
Titanium
Variety Titan is the result of crossing mountain ash, pear and red-leaved apple. A tree of medium height with a wide rounded crown has large (up to 2 g) fruits of dark scarlet color with a bluish bloom on the surface. This is one of the most winter-hardy varieties with a plentiful annual yield.
More about the species features of mountain ash – in the video:
Varieties of sweet-fruited mountain ash
The famous breeder I. V. Michurin became the pioneer of varieties of sweet mountain ash: thanks to his work, such varieties as Burka, Pomegranate, Dessertnaya, Likernaya appeared. The modern list of this species is unusually wide.
Burka
Variety Burka is one of the garden forms of mountain ash, which was the result of crossing alpine sorbaronia and ordinary mountain ash. Fruiting of the plant begins on the 2nd – 3rd year of growth. This is a low tree with a compact crown, reaching at a mature age no more than 2,5 m in growth. The variety is characterized by simple pinnate leaves, as well as a high level of frost resistance. Rowan Burka gives a rich yield (more than 50 kg per tree). Brown fruits of medium size have a slightly tart taste, can be stored for 3 to 4 months.
Wefed
Rowan Vefed is similar to Nevezhinsky rowan. This variety with an average ripening period is characterized by a sparse rounded crown. In adulthood, the plant can reach up to 4 m in height. This is a small tree with a stable fruiting rate and orange-pinkish shiny fruits, weighing more than 1,5 g. They have yellow, tender, sweet and sour flesh, therefore they are completely suitable for fresh consumption.
The variety also has a high level of frost resistance, disease resistance and abundant fruiting, which begins from the 3rd – 4th year of growth. The ripening period falls on the second half of August.
Sorbinka
Rowan Sorbinka belongs to the representatives of the mid-autumn ripening period. The tree of this variety is small in size (at a mature age it reaches up to 6 m in height) with an obovate crown of medium density. it begins to actively bear fruit in the 4th year of growth. The variety is characterized by red fruits of a rounded shape, the weight of which is more than 2,7 g and yellowish, juicy sweet and sour pulp without astringency and bitterness. The culture grows and develops best in sunny areas, it is winter-hardy and practically not susceptible to diseases.
Dessert Michurina
In the people, this variety is also called “miracle berry”. This small tree, reaching up to 2 m in height, is characterized by active flowering in the spring. From July to August, large (1,5 – 2 g) edible fruits of saturated ruby color with a sweetish-tart taste ripen on the tree. They are rich in organic acids and minerals, which is why they are often used both for making compotes and teas, and in folk medicine.
Liquor Michurina
Variety Likernaya is the result of crossing the Burka variety with an apple tree and a pear. A tree with a rare crown, reaching up to 5 m in height in adulthood, produces large fruits with a diameter of up to 15 mm with a dark, from burgundy to black, color and a bluish bloom, sweet and sour in taste, containing ascorbic acid in high concentration. They are used to make desserts, as well as seasoning for soups and sauces. The variety is characterized by a rich yield (up to 120 kg) and a high level of drought and winter hardiness. Rowan of this variety begins to actively bear fruit in the 5th year after planting, its flowering period refers to the end of May – the beginning of June. The fruits begin to ripen in the first half of autumn, usually in September.
Fresh fruits can be stored for up to a month. In order for the tree to bear fruit better, experts advise cross-pollination.
Daughter of cube
This variety has an early autumn ripening period. A medium-sized tree with a sparse paniculate crown begins to bear fruit abundantly in the 5th year from the moment of planting. The variety is characterized by oblong-shaped fruits of saturated fiery color, weighing 2 g. Fruits with yellow flesh without astringent and bitter taste. The Daughter Cubovoy variety has active fruiting, the yield of one tree, on average, is up to 90 kg. The ripening period of fruits falls on August, they are used both fresh and for seaming. The most optimal for the variety is loose soil, the tree also does not tolerate waterlogging.
Sugar Petrova
The sweet-fruited mountain ash Sugar Petrova is considered one of the rarest plant varieties that was practically lost, but the breeders were able to restore and propagate the plant. Sugar Petrova is the sweetest variety of mountain ash, its fruits have a sugary taste. They are used to make wines, liqueurs, juices, compotes, jelly, and jams. Moreover, they contain vitamin C (the concentration of which is greater than in lemon), carotene (more than in carrots) and P-active substances (more than in apples). Rowan apples of this variety also contain sorbitol, a natural sugar substitute for people with diabetes, and iron, which is 3-4 times more than in any fruits and berries.
Solar
Mountain ash Solnechnaya belongs to the group of plants of early autumn ripening. It is a medium tree with a panicled crown, thick, greenish-gray shoots and compound, pinnate, dark green leaves with a crenate-crenate margin. It begins to actively bear fruit in the 5th year of growth. The variety is distinguished by oblong, weighing up to 2 g, fruits of bright orange color, with a cherry tint. They contain rich yellow flesh with a pleasant sweet taste without astringency or bitterness. Their ripening time begins in mid-August. Due to the rich content of vitamins and nutrients, rowan fruits are actively used in the field of traditional medicine for the treatment and prevention of diseases.
Moravian
Rowan Moravian is a tall tree with a narrow-pyramidal crown, which gradually becomes broad-pyramidal with age. The leaves of the tree reach up to 25 cm in length, they are somewhat different in shape from other varieties. One sheet contains from 7 to 9 pairs of smaller leaves, which move away from each other by 2 – 3 cm on a common petiole, which gives the crown an openwork look. The leaf plate has a lanceolate shape and pronounced openwork edges. Mountain ash Moravian begins to bloom 1 – 2 days later than other varieties, it is characterized by large inflorescences and oval-shaped fruits up to 1 cm in diameter with a scarlet-red color and pale orange juicy and sweet pulp without astringent aftertaste.
Varieties of decorative rowan
Some varieties of mountain ash are most actively used to decorate the garden and summer cottages – due to their high decorative qualities. In addition to the usual scarlet and black mountain ash, breeders managed to develop unique varieties with fruits of yellow, orange and even white tones.
Yellow
This is a variety with pinnate compound leaves, which consist of 10 – 15 narrow leaflets with notches. In summer they have a dark green color, which changes to bright yellow and red hues in autumn. Thin flexible branches of a tree with a plentiful harvest tend to the ground. Small white flowers of yellow rowan form inflorescences 8 – 10 cm in diameter, and its fruits collected in large clusters are inedible for humans in their pure form, but very attractive to birds. They are also used to make mountain ash kvass, jam, or as an original filling for pies.
Twinkle
This variety is a great choice for beginner gardeners looking for an early harvest with rich flavors. A low tree, distinguished by its unpretentiousness in care and abundant yield, produces fruits, the color of which changes with the ripening stage: at the initial stage they have a light yellow tint, which eventually changes to bright scarlet. The main advantage of this variety is its resistance to all kinds of adverse weather conditions: this mountain ash easily tolerates both drought and severe frosts.
cubic
The variety Kubovaya, bred using the selection method, is a derivative of the Nevezhinsky mountain ash. This medium height tree with a sparse paniculate crown has large, thin leaves and short, pointed, lanceolate leaflets. It is characterized by bright orange, without perceptible astringency and bitterness, oblong fruits with juicy, tender-tasting bright yellow flesh. The grated fruits of mountain ash of this variety are consumed fresh, and are also used for preparations for the winter (jam, jams or marmalade). The period of their ripening falls on the first half of September. The Kubovaya variety is used both in creating single plantings and in the preparation of garden compositions.
Ken
Mountain ash Kene belongs to dwarf varieties (up to 2 m tall) with edible sour fruits, devoid of bitterness and astringency. Its maximum yield is no more than 2 glasses. Despite this, this variety of rowan is very much appreciated in the field of garden design for its rich decorative qualities. The fruits of the tree begin to ripen in August, have a snow-white color, and their length is no more than 6 – 7 mm in diameter. Rowan Kene begins to actively bloom and bear fruit from 5 years after planting.
In garden design, the method of combining different varieties of mountain ash is actively used. So, by combining, when planted in one area, the varieties of mountain ash Yellow, Scarlet large and Kene, you can get an excellent garden composition.
Varieties of mountain ash for the Moscow region
The best varieties of mountain ash for the Moscow region include:
- Titanium;
- Liquor;
- Pomegranate;
- Wefed;
- Sorbinka;
- Nevezhinskaya;
- Moravian;
- Scarlet large;
- Bead;
- Dessert Michurina.
The price of one rowan seedling depends on its age and decorative qualities. In the nurseries of the Moscow region, the cost of a seedling of an annual tree, on average, is 600 rubles.
Varieties of mountain ash for Siberia
The best varieties for the harsh climate of Siberia include:
- Moravian rowan;
- bead;
- Burka;
- Nevezhinskaya;
- Dessert;
- Scarlet large;
- Pomegranate rowan;
- Titanium;
- Sorbinka.
Nevezhenskaya mountain ash adapts best to winter conditions, it is especially important for trees of all other varieties to create optimal conditions for a comfortable existence. To avoid winter death, experts recommend grafting sweet-fruited varieties onto the Nevezhinsky crown.
The flowers of the igneous mountain ash easily tolerate a drop in temperature to -3 ° C. However, it is worth considering that this variety reacts negatively to shading. Gardeners also claim that after frost, the taste of fruits becomes much better and richer.
It is best to purchase rowan seedlings in nurseries. It is important to ensure that they do not have any mechanical damage, since in the future this can lead to problems with the development of plants, and even to their death.
Conclusion
The presented rowan varieties with photos, names and descriptions help to understand the richness of the species diversity of this culture. Each type of plant has its own unique properties. So, the fruits of sweet mountain ash are valuable for their vitamin and mineral composition, due to which they are used both in cooking and in the field of traditional medicine. And decorative varieties are successfully used in landscape design for the design of plots.