Rowan (Hedlundia thuringiaca)
Care, watering, light and tips for Rowan on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Rosaceae
- Difficulty: Demanding
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 0–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Rowan
Hedlundia thuringiaca, also known as Thuringian service-tree or 'tysk asal', is a natural hybrid tree belonging to the Rosaceae family, prized for its hardiness and attractive foliage. It grows to a medium size with a dense, oval canopy, featuring dark green lobed leaves that turn golden and reddish in autumn. It is an excellent choice for medium-sized gardens, parks, and avenues, providing seasonal interest and resilience to adverse conditions.
Native range
Central Europe
Care tips
This species thrives in full sun to partial shade, displaying its best autumn coloration with ample sunlight. It is drought-tolerant once established but benefits from regular watering during dry periods, especially in its early years. It prefers well-drained soils, from sandy to clayey, and tolerates a wide range of pH. A common mistake is planting it in excessively wet or poorly drained soils, which can lead to root problems.
How to save a dying Rowan
- Warning signs
- Yellowish or brown leaves, wilting and dropping, small or absent fruits, cracked bark, cankers.
- First aid
- Check drainage, prune diseased branches, apply fungicide if cankers, ensure adequate watering without waterlogging.
- What kills it
- Waterlogging, poor or compacted soil, severe late frosts, lack of sanitary pruning.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if acted upon quickly and the cause isn't irreversible. Recovery can be slow, but it's resilient.