Garden Care Guide

Rowan Care

Sorbus aucuparia

A tree native to the cool, humid and mountainous regions of Europe, grown for its fine fruits. Izmir's hot, dry and calcareous conditions are fatal for this tree; it can be attempted only by experts, in a sheltered, partially shaded spot, in acidic soil and with constant, generous irrigation.

Hardy · -30 °C / -22 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Not needed if the winter rains are sufficient. If it is in a pot, the soil should stay moist.
  • Pruning: Main pruning time. Remove only dead, diseased, weak and rubbing branches. On young trees, build a good framework structure.
  • Plant protection: Apply dormant mineral oil if needed.
  • General care: General cleaning.
  • Pests & diseases: Check branches for fire blight and cankers.
February
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water with enough lime-free water to keep the soil moist.
  • Fertilizing: Prepare to apply slow-release fertilizer for acid-loving plants, and do not overapply.
  • Pruning: While dormant, remove dry, broken, crossing and inward-growing branches so that air and light reach the inside of the crown.
  • Plant protection: Before the buds wake up, apply a copper-based preparation against fire blight and other fungal diseases.
  • General care: For new plantings, use only a mixture of acidic peat and rich compost.
  • Frost risk: Protect newly planted seedlings from severe frosts.
March
  • Watering: Begin watering with lime-free water (rainwater is ideal); the soil should stay moist (20-30 L per week); reduce if it rains.
  • Fertilizing: Apply the special fertilizer for acid-loving plants at the label rate. If chlorosis appears, apply iron chelate, and do not overapply.
  • Plant protection: Check the new shoots for aphids.
  • General care: Renew the acidic mulch layer.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for fire blight symptoms.
  • Frost risk: Late frosts can damage young shoots.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Produces white flower spikes.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Pruning: Prune branches showing fire blight symptoms.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Check fresh shoot tips for aphids (small clusters of green or black insects). If there are few, you can knock them off with a strong spray of water. If you see black spots with yellow rings on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Pruning: Prune only the branches showing signs of fire blight.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Make sure the plant is protected from harsh afternoon sun, for example with shade cloth. A thick layer of mulch keeps the roots cool and moist.
  • Pests & diseases: Check fresh shoot tips for aphids (small clusters of green or black insects). If there are few, you can knock them off with a strong spray of water. If you see black spots with yellow rings on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
  • Frost risk: Protect from the scorching sun.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for spider mites.
  • Pests & diseases: Maintain the mulch to keep the roots cool.
  • Frost risk: Protect from the scorching sun.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for spider mites.
  • Pests & diseases: Monitor the plant closely for signs of stress.
  • Frost risk: Protect from the scorching sun.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Bright orange-red fruit clusters ripen. They are very attractive to birds. The leaves may turn yellow, orange and red.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: If there is a chlorosis problem, a final iron chelate application can be made; do not overdo it.
  • General care: Reduce disease risk by collecting fallen leaves.
November
  • Plant protection: Apply a copper-based preparation after leaf fall to prevent diseases.
  • General care: Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under leaves.
  • Frost risk: Protect newly planted seedlings during the first winter.
December
  • Pruning: The main pruning period can begin.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

Browse all plant guides