Quick Guide: spring, hardy, sun/semi-shade, height: 12m/40ft, width: 8m/26ft

The genus Sorbus includes rowans, which are discussed here, and whitebeams. Rowans or mountain ashes are elegant trees admired for their pinnate leaves, which take on brilliant autumn tints. Flattened heads of tiny cream flowers appear in late spring, followed by attractive clusters of small round fruits.

GROWING Plant trees between autumn and spring in any type of well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade. Rowans tolerate the polluted atmosphere of towns well. No pruning is required.

PROPAGATION Pick the berries in autumn and take out the seeds. Sow immediately in seed compost in a cold frame. Prick the seedlings into boxes as soon as they are large enough to handle. Transfer to nursery rows in the following autumn to grow on for 5 years before planting in the final position.

SPECIES S. hupehensis (above), foliage blue-green, turning red in autumn, pale pink berries appear in late summer and last for weeks. S. sargentiana, height and spread 8m/26ft, leaves and fruit orange-red in autumn, best choice for colour; S. vilmororinii, height and spread up to 6m/2Oft, dainty tree with fern-like leaves turning red in autumn, fruits red or white flushed pink.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Apple canker, fire blight, honey fungus.