Red Bird

As the name suggests Red Bird features large bright orange / red berries in the autumn, which are popular with birds.  The autumn leaf colours are also attractive.

The flower clusters borne in early summer are a pure white, contrasting nicely with the fresh green toothed leaves - more impressive than those of most rowans.

In winter the smooth grey bark and dense spreading bare branches are attractive.

Red Bird rowan trees for sale

• 11-year bare-root tree £44.50
  Large size (3m-5m after 10 years)
  

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• 22-year pot-grown tree £71.95
  In a 12L pot
  Large size (3m-5m after 10 years)
  

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Order now for delivery from week commencing 6th January.

How to grow

Red Bird belongs to one of the lesser-known rowan species, Sorbus alnifolia. This species has a wider climate range than most other rowans, and is a good choice if you want to plant a rowan tree and live in an area with a warm dry climate. It will also tolerate very cold climates, but is not suitable for hot humid climates.

Red Bird prefers slightly acidic soils.

It grows fairly quickly, initially with an upright columnar form, but noticeably more spreading as it ages.

History

The rowan species Sorbus alnifolia is sometimes known as the Korean Mountain Ash. The species name reflects the alder-like shape of the leaves, which are also more similar to the leaves of whitebeams, and some authorities consider this to be a whitebeam rather than a rowan

Red Bird characteristics

• Gardening skillBeginner
• Attractive featuresAttractive flowersAttractive fruitAttractive tree / plantAutumn foliage colour
• Growth habitUpright
• Height after 10 years3m-5m / 10ft-16ft
• SunlightPrefers full sun
• PruningNo need to prune
• Growth rateFast
• Site conditionsSheltered siteWindy site
• WildlifeAttractive to birds
• Flower colourWhite
• Flowering monthMayJune
• Leaf colourGreen
• Leaf colour - autumnOrange / Red
• Fruit colourOrange / Red
• Fruit persistencePersistent
• BarkGrey
• Country of originSouth Korea
• Annual cycleDeciduous

Similar varieties

• 
  Sorbus aucuparia
  Autumn Spire
  As the name suggests, this is another very upright Rowan tree.
• Sorbus ulleungensis
  Olympic Flame
  Another upright Rowan tree, featuring bright red berries and excellent autumn leaf colours.

How to choose a Rowan or Whitebeam tree

We list more than 50 Sorbus (rowan and whitebeam) trees. Choosing can be difficult! Our article explaining the different berry and leaf colours might help narrow down the selection.