Rowan Tree | Native Plant Feature 07
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| Rowan Tree by Laura Watson |
In my latest native plant feautre I’m exploring one of my favorite autumn highlights — Mountain Ash, also known as Rowan. The true native Rowan of British Columbia is Western Mountain Ash (Sorbus scopulina), a shrubby tree that grows on forest edges and mountain slopes across western North America. Its clusters of creamy-white blossoms in late spring and its brilliant orange-red berries in autumn make it a spectacular plant to observe and record in a nature journal.
For this feature, I am also including the European Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia) — a very common, non-native species that was introduced to BC as an ornamental tree and has since naturalized in many areas. I’m especially excited about this feature because I’m collaborating with Latvian artist Kristine Rapohina of Kristine Art to paint Sorbus aucuparia, bringing together two continents through the beauty of a shared botanical subject.
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| Check out our YouTube video collaboration |
š¤ Sorbus scopulina & Sorbus aucuparia – Western & European Mountain Ash
Common Names: Western Mountain Ash, European Mountain Ash, Rowan
Latin Names: Sorbus scopulina (native), Sorbus aucuparia (introduced)
Family: Rosaceae
Habitat: Forest edges, moist meadows, subalpine slopes (S. scopulina); disturbed sites, roadsides, gardens (S. aucuparia)
Bloom Time: May–July
Range: S. scopulina – western North America (including BC); S. aucuparia – native to Europe/Asia, widely introduced in North America
Western Mountain Ash is typically a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree reaching 1–4 m in height. Its leaves are pinnately compound, with fewer, smaller leaflets that are often less regularly serrated than its European cousin. The berry clusters are looser and more open, and the overall form of the plant is bushier and more naturalized in the forest understory.
European Mountain Ash, by contrast, is often a single-stemmed tree that grows taller (up to 10–15 m), with more evenly serrated leaflets and denser, brighter berry clusters. Its upright form and ornamental look make it popular in gardens and urban landscapes.
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| Ink and Watercolor in progress (image from full-legnth class) by Laura Watson |
š Comparison: Native vs. European Mountain Ash
| Feature | Sorbus scopulina (Native) | Sorbus aucuparia (Introduced) |
|---|---|---|
| Growth Form | Shrub or small tree, often multi-stemmed | Tall single-stemmed tree, upright form |
| Height | 1–4 m | 10–15 m |
| Leaflets | Fewer, smaller, less regularly serrated | More numerous, evenly serrated |
| Berry Clusters | Loose, airy, fewer berries | Dense, bright orange-red clusters |
| Habitat | Moist forest edges, subalpine slopes | Gardens, roadsides, disturbed areas |
| Ecological Role | Important native food source for birds & bears | Can outcompete native species, sometimes invasive |
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| Ink and Watercolor in progress (image from full-legnth class) by Laura Watson |
✍️ Illustration Tip: Drawing Mountain Ash / Rowan
When sketching Mountain Ash, focus on the elegant symmetry of the pinnate leaves and the radiating berry clusters.
Use layered washes of orange and red to make the berries glow, and don’t be afraid to add a deep background wash to make them pop on the page. A botanical sketch might include a single compound leaf, a close-up of a flower umbel, and a cluster of berries side by side — perfect for educating viewers about the plant’s full seasonal cycle.
šæ Ecological & Cultural Notes
Western Mountain Ash is an important part of BC’s mountain and forest ecosystems. Its berries ripen in late summer to early fall and are a crucial food source for birds such as cedar waxwings, thrushes, and grosbeaks, as well as mammals like bears and deer. Its flowers are pollinated by bees and other native insects, helping support pollinator populations in mountain habitats.
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| Ink and Watercolor in progress (image from full-legnth class) by Laura Watson |
European Mountain Ash, while beautiful, can spread into wild areas and displace native species. Ecological restoration projects often prioritize removing S. aucuparia to make space for native plants like S. scopulina. Culturally, however, Rowan trees hold deep significance in European folklore — they were believed to offer protection against evil and were planted near homes to bring good luck.
š Sources
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Plants of Coastal British Columbia by Pojar & MacKinnon
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| Ink and Watercolor in progress (image from full-legnth class) by Laura Watson |
š” Want to Learn More?
Explore the rest of my Featured Native Plants Series to discover more forest-edge treasures.
The Watercolor Garden Lifetime Membership offers exclusive access to the full Rowan Tree class — including both my detailed step-by-step botanical painting lesson in watercolor and ink and a full guest class by fellow SBA Distance Learning Diploma graduate - botanical artist Kristine Rapohina of Kristine Art. The Lifetime Membership gives you access to all content inside The Watercolor Garden — every class, workshop, and bonus lesson — with no expiration or renewal required. Learn more here.
Follow along and try sketching your own Mountain Ash page — and if you share your work on Instagram, tag me @LauraWatsonArtist so I can see your creations!
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Interested in a FREE Guide featuring 10 of my native plants series illustrations?
Download my FREE Native Plants Guide Here
Happy painting,Laura
Laura Watson
Botanical Artist & Instructor
Founder of The Watercolour Garden
www.thewatercolourgarden.com
All illustrations in this article are my original watercolour paintings.
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