Rowan has long been considered a folk tree. It can also be found in public places - parks, alleys, boulevards, recreation areas, and in most homesteads and summer cottages. This tree is rightfully the main decoration of the garden throughout the year. In early spring, rowan comes to life and smells of fragrant pink or white flowers. During the summer months, the tree delights the eye with its bright green, rich color of dense foliage. Autumn paints mountain ash in delicious yellow, crimson and orange colors. And in the cold winter cold, you can admire the yellow or orange-red rowan berries against the backdrop of a fluffy snow cover.
In Russia, mountain ash is respected and cherished not only for its decorative qualities and numerous healing properties. Since ancient times, a tree has been specially planted between wooden houses and various outbuildings, because it practically does not burn in a fire and can stop sudden ignition and the movement of flame from building to building.
Types and varieties of mountain ash
Among the numerous species and varieties of mountain ash (about 80 names), as well as hybrid forms, there are various specimens of trees and shrubs. They differ in color and taste of berries, foliage shape, height, keeping conditions and requirements for climatic conditions. In nature, you can also find a shrub about one and a half meters high and a two-three-meter tree.
There are not so many cultivated varieties. On garden plots, nature lovers usually prefer sweet-fruited hybrid varieties. The most popular among gardeners are the mountain ash "Burka", "Rossiyskaya", "Pomegranate", "Likernaya" and "Moravskaya". Most varieties of this culture have a high level of winter hardiness and can withstand temperatures down to 50 degrees below zero. The flowering period for mountain ash comes late (approximately at the end of May - at the beginning of June), but this has its own advantage. At this time, the tree is not threatened with night spring frosts, since the warm weather has already established.
The culture brings abundant harvests of berries, but they can be further increased if not one variety is planted on the site, but several (or at least two). The quantity and quality of fruits also directly depends on the soil on which the mountain ash grows. An unpretentious and undemanding crop will give a full harvest on an area with fertile and nutritious soil.
Rowan propagation
Reproduction methods depend on the variety and shape of the plant:
- Grafting of the cutting and budding is used for the "Ordinary" rowan;
- Layers are used for low-stamped forms;
- Root suckers - for own-rooted plants.
Growing rowan from seeds
For this propagation method, only freshly harvested seeds are used. The rowan berries ripened in mid-autumn must be removed from the tree before the arrival of frost and planting material removed from them. For planting, shallow grooves with a depth of one to one and a half centimeters will be required. After sowing, the seeds are covered with humus.Such natural stratification during the winter period will contribute to the early and friendly appearance of seedlings in the spring.
Seedlings grown in this way remain in one place for 3-4 years, after which they are transplanted to their permanent place in the garden.
Rowan planting
The root system of all types and forms of mountain ash is located close to the soil surface and can be easily damaged by inaccurate care of the trunks. Planting seedlings can be carried out in the spring and autumn. In autumn, it is necessary to choose such a time so that the young trees have time to take root in a new place before the arrival of the first frost. This will take them 2-3 weeks. For spring planting, the most favorable period will be the beginning of March, when the buds have not yet begun to swell.
The distance between plantings of seedlings depends on the types of mountain ash: for vigorous ones it is 6.5-7 m, for low-growing ones - 3-4 m.
Rowan care rules
Processing of near-trunk circles
In the near-trunk circles, there should be no weeds, and the soil must be regularly moistened and fed. Reliable protection against drying out and freezing of the soil in the near-trunk circles will be a thick mulching layer of organic plant components.
Crown formation
Correct pruning of the tree helps to improve the illumination of the entire crown and the formation of its decorative appearance. This procedure is recommended to be carried out annually in early spring until the buds swell.
Pests
The main representatives of the fauna that harm mountain ash are mountain ash moth, aphids, cherry slimy sawfly. Timely preventive spraying will help protect plants from pests.
