Rowan / Mountain Ash (Sorbus ulleungensis) DODONG

Rowan / Mountain Ash (Sorbus ulleungensis) 'Dodong'

An exceptional, exotic ornamental rowan with massive leaves and flower clusters, famous for its fantastic fiery autumn colors.

The 'Dodong' variety is a true gem of landscape architecture. Hailing from the isolated South Korean volcanic island of Ulleung, it differs from our native rowans in every way—it boasts incomparably larger leaves, more massive flower clusters, and larger fruits. Its greatest pride, however, is its unsurpassed, brilliantly bright orange to red autumn coloring, which will make this tree an unmissable focal point in any garden.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Extreme ornamental value: Its fiery autumn colors are among the most beautiful of all ornamental trees.
• Massive leaves and flowers: Leaves reach over 25 cm in length, and the fragrant white flower corymbs can be up to 23 cm wide.
• Late blooming: Blooms from May to June, safely escaping late spring frosts.
• Large fruits: Attractive orange-red berries that are edible after freezing.
• Strong, healthy growth and excellent adaptability to various conditions.

Origin and Botanical Classification

• Origin and Discoverer: South Korea (Ulleung Island / Ulleungdo). Seeds were collected during a 1976 expedition by Swedish dendrologist Tor Nitzelius, who named the clone after the local port town of Dodong.
• Classification Fact: For many years, it was sold as Sorbus commixta 'Dodong'. However, a 2014 scientific study proved that rowans from this island are so distinct they form their own endemic species—Sorbus ulleungensis.

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Vigor and Bark: Strong growth. In our climate, it forms a medium-sized tree. The bark is dark brown to grey-brown, smooth when young, later vertically furrowed.
• Buds: Distinct red, ovate, ranging from non-sticky to very sticky.

Leaves, Flowers, and Fruits

• Leaves: Extremely large (23 to 31 cm), composed of 13 to 15 leaflets. Dark green on top and pale green underneath in summer. In autumn, they transform into a blazing, fiery orange-red canopy.
• Flowers: Blooms late (early May to mid-June). Forms huge, dense corymbs 13 to 23.5 cm in diameter. The white flowers are larger than those of common rowans and are pleasantly fragrant.
• Fruits: Large berries (approx. 10 mm in diameter) in an attractive, glossy yellow-orange to red color.

Resistance and Requirements

• Adaptability: Since the original species comes from rugged volcanic cliffs by the ocean, the tree is highly adaptable to various climatic and soil conditions and is fully frost-hardy.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Use and Space: The 'Dodong' variety is perfectly suited to be planted as a highly decorative solitary tree, where its habit and autumn colors can truly stand out. Note: Due to its strong growth and mature size, it requires adequate space and is therefore not ideal for very tiny gardens.

Harvest and Use

• Although grown primarily for its ornamental beauty, its large fruits can be utilized. To reduce their natural tartness, they become edible only after they have gone through the first winter frosts (freezing/bletting).