Sorbus aucuparia Black Ruby - Rowan

Sorbus Black Ruby 'Czarne Rubiny', derived from the rowan tree (Sorbus aucuparia), is a large deciduous bush appreciated for its autumn colours and edible blue fruits, which have a sweet flavour and no bitterness. It is not demanding regarding soil, very hardy, and makes an excellent free-standing hedge plant that can also be welcomed in a small garden.

Sorbus 'Black Ruby' 'Czarne Rubiny' belongs to the rose family, like all rowans. Originating from Poland, this cultivar is primarily cultivated for its ornamental qualities and edible fruits. It is a small tree with a bushy habit, of vigorous growth, that can reach a height of 2.5 m with a spread of 2 m. Its young branches are upright, dark brown, slightly hairy, while the older branches turn yellowish-grey or grey. Its deciduous compound leaves, consisting of 9 to 11 ovate or lanceolate leaflets, are dark green and glossy on top, lighter and smooth underneath. They turn red in autumn before falling. The winter buds, almost black and sticky, are quite decorative. In June, the bush is covered with reddish or white flowers, grouped in inflorescences 4 to 5 cm wide, each flower measuring 12 to 15 mm in diameter. The ellipsoid to spherical fruits measure 1 to 1.2 cm in diameter and have a slight layer of bloom. They are grouped in generous clusters.

The Black Ruby rowan 'Czarne Rubiny' is perfect in an informal edible hedge or in a shrub border. Its frost resistance and tolerance to various types of soil make it an easy bush to grow. It pairs particularly well with low-maintenance bushes such as Viburnum lantana (Wayfaring tree), Ribes sanguineum 'Red Bross' (Flowering currant), Sambucus nigra (Black elder), and Chaenomeles japonica 'Cido' (Japanese quince).