Sorbus matsumurana - Japanese rowan

Sorbus matsumurana is a Japanese mountain ash, rare in cultivation. It is a small deciduous tree or large bush native to the mountains of Japan, which will charm with its rounded habit, its speckled bark, its well-furnished pinnate foliage, its white spring flowering, and its highly decorative red fruits in autumn. This variety is ideal for adding a touch of Japan or exoticism to the garden. It will make a beautiful specimen when planted alone.

Sorbus matsumurana belongs to the Rosaceae family, like all mountain ashes. It is a botanical species native to the mountainous regions of Hokkaido and northern Honshu in Japan. In its natural habitat, this mountain ash grows in cold-exposed environments, on humus-rich, well-drained, slightly moist soils. This tree can reach a height of 7 to 8 m and a spread of 5 m. It often takes the form of a large bush with multiple trunks, with a beautiful round and dense crown. Its pinnate, bluish-green leaves composed of 11 oblong and toothed leaflets, turn yellow or orange in autumn before falling. These warm colours create an interesting contrast with the red fruits. The branches are smooth. In winter, they are adorned with long buds measuring approximately 1.3 cm in length, dark blue-violet in colour, smooth except for some hairs on the edges of the scales. Flowering occurs in May-June and is visited by bees. The flowers, grouped in small clusters measuring 5 to 7.5 cm wide, are composed of cream-white petals. The ellipsoid to globose fruits measure approximately 1 cm in length. They turn bright red when ripe. The bark of this Mountain Ash is smooth and light brown-grey. It becomes covered with white lenticels on old trees.

Sorbus matsumurana can be used as a solitary specimen or in a shrub bed inspired by exotic, Japanese, or naturalistic themes. Its moderate growth allows it to be accommodated in many gardens. It pairs well with Sorbus commixta 'Dodong', which resembles it, Acer palmatum 'Dissectum Atropurpureum', which offers beautiful purple autumn colouring, Prunus serrulata 'Kazan' for its spectacular spring flowers in pink pompoms, and Viburnum plicatum 'Grandiflorum' for its white ball-shaped flowers and its flamboyant autumn foliage.