Sorbus trees
Sorbus are graceful, slender trees delivering season-long colour and interest. They produce beautiful clusters of creamy-white flowers in spring followed by a dazzling display of red, white, pink or yellow berries and fabulous autumn foliage colour. The berries are perfect for attracting birds into the garden and can be used to make a jelly as a tangy accompaniment for game-based dishes. Commonly known as Rowans, they are deciduous with foliage ranging from dark green to silvery blue before becoming ablaze in autumnal shades of yellows, reds and oranges. There are two groups of Sorbus trees – the Mountain Ashes and the Whitebeams. The Mountain Ashes are more popular for garden use and you can tell them apart because their compound leaves are made up of a number of smaller pinnate leaflets. Despite the name, these trees are not related to ash trees, although some have leaves that look similar. The basic species is Sorbus Aucuparia, our native Sorbus reaching almost 8 metres tall with bright red berries. Alternatively, Sorbus Joseph Rock is another good choice with yellow berries and brilliantly coloured foliage in the autumn. Whitebeams have simple oval leaves – green above and grey below, such as Sorbus Lutescens with its silvery young leaves and red berries.