Sorbus Rubinowaja - Sorbus x Pyrus

Sorbus 'Rubinowaja' is an inter-generic hybrid between a Rowan and a Pear tree. Appearing closer to Rowans, it forms a large bush or small tree with a slightly more spreading habit than the latter. Its deeply lobed foliage is quite ornamental, especially in autumn when it changes from green to orange-yellow. It produces white flowers in spring, which then develop into very attractive clusters of dark red fruits. These berries can be consumed fresh or processed and have a pleasant taste devoid of bitterness. This very hardy plant is easy to cultivate in most conditions.

The Rowan is a member of the large Rosaceae family, which comprises around 5000 species. This family includes native plants from the countryside (hawthorn, burnet...), numerous ornamental plants (Cotoneaster, Eriobotrya...) and the majority of fruit trees (Pear, Apricot...). The particularly generous Sorbus genus comprises about a hundred species, which can be divided into two main types: the Rowans, with compound leaves, and the Service trees, with simple leaves. As is often the case with Rosaceae, viable cross-breeding occurs between different genera, involving a Hawthorn (x Crataegosorbus), an Aronia (x Sorbaronia) or a Pear (x Sorbopyrus).
This is the case with 'Rubinowaja', a hybrid variety between Sorbus aucuparia (Bird Cherry) and a Pyrus (of an unknown species). It was developed in Michrurinsk, within the Russian Institute of Genetics and Selection of Fruit Plants, and marketed in the USSR after the Second World War. In 2010, this variety received an award at the international "Green is Life" exhibition in Poland. It is compact and it forms a bush or small tree 2.5 m to 4 m high, with a width of 2 to 3 m. The crown is moderately dense, and the habit is slightly more spreading than pure Rowans, which are generally conical to pyramidal. The shoots are fine and flexible, often trailing, grey-brown and smooth. They bear compound, odd-pinnate leaves, consisting of 11 to 15 leaflets. The leaflets are oppositely arranged in pairs on either side of the central stem of the leaf, with the odd leaflet occupying the tip. In some leaves, it happens that the last three leaflets are imperfectly lobed, partially merging, as if the genes of the Pear, a species with entire leaves, are trying to express themselves. The medium green, slightly glossy leaves, have a rather ornamental pattern. Towards the end of April (depending on the region), umbels of 10 to 12 cm in diameter appear, composed of small white flowers. They are honey-bearing and loved by bees, thus adding a useful dimension to the ornamental character of the plant. Partially self-fertile, fruiting will occur even if planted in isolation but may be more intense near another Rowan. After fertilization, small spherical berries appear, turning red from August. In September, the 8 mm diameter fruits are dark red and ready to be harvested. Slightly smaller than those of the average other varieties, they are nevertheless numerous enough for the clusters, nicely highlighted by the foliage, to create an attractive scene. The berries with yellow flesh are sweet, juicy, sweet-sour and without bitterness. They can be consumed fresh or processed into jams, compotes, jellies, syrups... Rich in vitamins C and PP (up to 900 mg per 100 g), they also contain vitamins A and E. In autumn, the deciduous foliage turns orange-yellow before falling to the ground.

Sorbus 'Rubinowaja' is an original variety that will be perfectly suited to small urban gardens, as well as in rural areas where its somewhat wild appearance will integrate very well. Very hardy and easy to cultivate in most soils, in full sun or even partial shade, you can associate it with other plants within a varied border. To create a nice contrast of colours, choose a Physocarpus with purple or golden foliage. This small bush, just as accommodating as the Rowan, will find its place at its feet, and its natural silhouette will harmonise ideally with that of the Rowan. To extend the flowering period of your border, rely on Forsythias, whose explosion of luminous yellow flowers is unparalleled for brightening the early days of spring. Ribes sanguineum 'Amore' is a flowering Currant with red to pink flowers that will then take over in April-May, and whose rustic charm will remain in tune with your border.