Top 10 Complementary Trees to Plant with Rowan
- Kerri Cuthbert
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Rowan trees (Sorbus aucuparia) grow best alongside trees with comparable growing requirements, including similar soil types, light levels, and drainage. Choosing the right trees to plant with Rowan helps create a balanced planting scheme that supports healthy establishment, encourages biodiversity, and adds seasonal interest across UK landscapes.
Rowan trees are one of the most popular native trees in the UK, valued for their spring flowers, autumn berries, and excellent wildlife benefits. When paired with compatible native and ornamental species, rowans work well in mixed planting and woodland-style schemes, adding structure and long-term resilience throughout the year.
Why Choose Complementary Trees to Plant with Rowan?
Choosing complementary trees to plant with Rowan is not just about appearance. Selecting species that grow well alongside Rowan trees provides several long-term benefits for planting schemes in UK landscapes:
Improved biodiversity through a wider range of food and shelter for wildlife
Reduced disease risk by avoiding monoculture planting
Layered structure that reflects natural woodland edges
Extended seasonal interest, from spring blossom to autumn colour and winter berries
Their adaptability makes Rowan trees easy to integrate into mixed planting schemes, pairing well with species that share compatible site conditions without competing for space or resources.
What Are the Best Trees to Plant with Rowan?
The table below highlights the best trees to plant with Rowan, outlining their key benefits and the types of UK landscapes where they perform best. Further details on each companion tree can be found below.
Companion Tree | Key Benefit | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|
High wildlife value | Native hedgerows, mixed planting | |
Spring blossom and fruit | Gardens and landscapes | |
Light canopy and contrast | Woodland-style planting | |
Autumn colour | Smaller outdoor spaces | |
Early nectar source | Larger planting schemes | |
Silvery foliage | Exposed or urban sites | |
Dense structure | Shelterbelts and boundaries | |
Evergreen interest | Year-round structure | |
Berry variation | Coordinated planting | |
Multi-season interest | Gardens and wildlife areas |
1. Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Hawthorn is one of the most reliable native trees to grow alongside Rowan, thriving in similar site conditions and fitting naturally into mixed and hedgerow-style planting.
Why it works well:
Similar soil and light requirements
Excellent wildlife value
Well-suited to mixed hedgerows and informal planting
2. Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris)
Crab apples pair well with Rowan trees, offering strong visual contrast through spring blossom and decorative fruits that often persist into winter.
Key benefits:
Distinct seasonal interest
Supports insects and birds
Compact growth suitable for gardens
3. Silver Birch (Betula pendula)
Silver birch adds height and lightness to planting schemes. Its open canopy allows dappled sunlight to reach lower planting, making it an ideal companion tree for Rowan.
Why plant together:
Creates vertical interest
Supports moths, birds, and insects
Ideal for woodland-style planting
4. Field Maple (Acer campestre)
Field maple is a compact native tree with fresh green foliage and warm autumn colour that complements Rowan’s berries later in the season.
Benefits:
Strong autumn interest
Tolerates pruning if required
Supports a wide range of insects
5. Wild Cherry (Prunus avium)
Wild cherry adds early-season blossom and summer fruit, bringing height and structure to mixed planting schemes alongside Rowan trees.
Why it works:
Early nectar source for pollinators
Seasonal interest from spring through autumn
Best suited to larger outdoor spaces
6. Whitebeam (Sorbus aria)
As a close relative of Rowan, Whitebeam fits naturally into companion planting schemes. Its silvery foliage provides contrast without overpowering neighbouring trees.
Key reasons to plant together:
Similar growing conditions
Good drought tolerance once established
Suitable for exposed locations
7. Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
Hornbeam adds density and structure, balancing the lighter canopy of a Rowan tree and working well in larger planting schemes.
Advantages:
Dense foliage for nesting birds
Attractive autumn colour
Adaptable to a range of soil types
8. Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Holly introduces evergreen structure and winter interest, helping maintain visual appeal and shelter around Rowan trees year-round.
Why does it complement Rowan?
Evergreen contrast
Late-season berries for birds
Provides shelter and cover
9. Rowan Cultivars (Sorbus varieties)
Planting different Rowan cultivars together creates a cohesive look while offering variation in berry colour, form, and seasonal interest.
Popular options include:
Sorbus aucuparia ‘Fastigiata’
Sorbus aucuparia ‘Sheerwater Seedling’
Ensure adequate spacing to allow for mature growth.
10. Amelanchier (Juneberry)
Amelanchier is one of the most versatile trees to plant with Rowan, offering interest across multiple seasons.
Key benefits:
Spring flowers and edible berries
Excellent autumn colour
Attracts birds and pollinators
Design Tips for Planting Rowan Trees with Companions
Good planting design helps Rowan trees and their companion species establish successfully and form a resilient, long-lasting landscape. When planning companion planting, consider spacing, canopy balance, and species selection to support strong growth and long-term planting success.
Allow space for mature growth - Plant companion trees around 3–5 metres apart, depending on the species. Adequate spacing reduces root competition, improves airflow, and allows each tree to develop its natural canopy shape.
Mix deciduous and evergreen trees - Combining Rowan with evergreen species such as holly adds structure and winter interest. Evergreens also provide year-round shelter and cover for wildlife when deciduous trees lose their leaves.
Prioritise native species - Native trees such as hawthorn, field maple, and silver birch are well-suited to UK conditions and support a wider range of insects, birds, and mammals than many non-native alternatives.
Underplant once trees are established - After trees have settled in, shade-tolerant shrubs and ground cover can be added beneath them. This improves ground coverage, suppresses weeds, and extends seasonal interest without competing with young trees.
How to Choose the Right Companion Trees for Rowan
Choosing the right companion trees for a Rowan is key to creating a planting scheme that develops well over time. By combining compatible native and ornamental species, you can support good establishment, improve canopy balance, and encourage wildlife without overcrowding or competition.
At Bowhayes Trees, this approach is informed by over 30 years of growing and supplying trees in Devon. Through hands-on experience, we see how thoughtful companion planting improves establishment, reduces stress on young trees, and supports stronger long-term growth. Rowan trees are a regular feature in mixed and woodland-style planting schemes across our nursery, valued for their adaptability and wildlife benefits. The combinations outlined in this guide reflect planting choices we regularly recommend based on real growing conditions rather than theory alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best trees to plant next to a Rowan tree?
Native trees such as Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), Silver Birch (Betula pendula), Field Maple (Acer campestre), and Whitebeam (Sorbus aria) grow well alongside Rowan trees due to similar soil, drainage, and light requirements.
Can you plant more than one Rowan tree together?
Yes, Rowan trees can be planted together, including different cultivars. Ensure adequate spacing to allow for mature canopy spread and good airflow, which helps prevent overcrowding and disease.
How far apart should companion trees be planted from a Rowan tree?
Most companion trees should be planted around 3–5 metres away from a Rowan tree, depending on their eventual size. This spacing allows healthy root development and reduces competition for nutrients.
Are Rowan trees good for wildlife gardens?
Rowan trees are excellent for wildlife. Their spring flowers provide nectar for pollinators, while their berries are an important food source for birds during autumn and winter.
Can Rowan trees be planted in mixed or woodland-style schemes?
Yes, Rowan trees are well-suited to mixed and woodland-style planting schemes. They work particularly well when combined with native trees and shrubs, creating layered planting that improves biodiversity and visual structure.
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