Matthew Ridley

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Sorbus 'Matthew Ridley' is vigorous upright Rowan or Mountain Ash.

This is one of the earlier-flowering Rowans, usually starting in early May. The flowers are small and white, long-lasting, and attractive to bees.

In autumn it features large clusters of oblong-shaped orange-red berries.

The highly lobed leaves are bright green, taking on autumnal hues before they fall.

Matthew Ridley rowan trees for sale

All our pot-grown trees are grown for us to our specification by the Frank P Matthews nursery.

All pot-grown trees are suitable for planting out in the garden, some are suitable for growing in containers.

Sorry we have not produced any trees of this variety this season.

How to grow

Matthew Ridley is easy to grow on most soils.

History

This Rowan tree is named after Lord Matthew Ridley, a keen botanist who died in 2012. He did much to encourage the conservation and study of trees, and held a national collection of Sorbus on his estate at Blagdon in Northumberland, where this variety was discovered.

Matthew Ridley characteristics

• Gardening skillBeginner
• Attractive featuresAttractive fruitAutumn foliage colour
• Growth habitUpright
• Height after 10 years3m-5m / 10ft-16ft
• PruningLight prune
• Growth rateAverage
• Site conditionsCoastal siteOccasional flooding
• WildlifeAttractive to birds
• Flower colourWhite
• Flowering monthMay
• Leaf colourGreen
• Leaf colour - autumnOrange / Red
• Fruit colourYellow / Orange
• Fruit persistencePersistent
• Annual cycleDeciduous

How to choose a Rowan or Whitebeam tree

We list more than 50 Sorbus (rowan and whitebeam) trees. Choosing can be difficult! Our article explaining the different berry and leaf colours might help narrow down the selection.