Rowanberry (Sorbus ancarparia edulis). The European mountain ash,
as the rowanberry is also called, has an interesting history. The rowan
tree takes its name from the Danish "rune," meaning magic, and it was so
called because it was supposed to have magic powers to ward off evil
spirits. Often planted as an ornamental today, the rowanberry grows 50
feet tall and the edulis variety produces small, orange, berrylike pomes
that are used in making jelly, jam, and wine. Rowanberries can be
propagated by cuttings or seeds, which take two years to germinate, and
are hardy form Zone 2 southward. The Finnish whitebeam (Sorbus hybrida) is
a smaller tree, growing from 15 to 40 feet tall, that is valued for its
light red berries, these also used in jam making.
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