Fraxinus angustifolia Heterophylla Laciniata - Narrow-leaved ash

Fraxinus angustifolia 'Heterophylla Laciniata' is a very rare form of the Narrow-Leaved Ash that is characterised by its elegant, fine-textured foliage. Its lobed, narrow and wavy leaves are a shiny dark green during the growing season and take on beautiful autumnal hues, ranging from yellow to orange and red. Over time, this tree develops a very upright trunk supporting a light and rounded crown that provides shade in the summer. In its natural form, it makes a statement in the landscape until autumn. Give it an open location and deep, not too dry soil in summer.

Fraxinus angustifolia 'Heterophylla Laciniata' is a tree from the olive family, just like the olive tree and lilac. The species, Narrow-Leaved Ash, is native to southern Europe, where it is common along riverbanks and shores.

This 'Heterophylla Laciniata' ash develops a vertical and fairly short, clear trunk, topped by a rounded crown, rather closed when the tree is young, opening up a bit as the years go by. At maturity, the canopy is airy, with a light appearance, and the bark covering the trunk becomes grey, deeply fissured and scaly. Eventually, this tree will reach a height of 8 to 10 m, with a crown measuring about 5 to 6 m in width. The deciduous foliage is very delicate and consists of leaves composed of 3 to 11 very narrow and lanceolate leaflets, more or less lobed and wavy, measuring 5 to 10 cm in length. They are light green in spring and darken in summer. In autumn, they display beautiful shades of yellow, orange, red, and purple for 3 to 5 weeks, unless they are blown away by strong winds. The flowering occurs in spring, before the leaves appear, in the form of panicles ranging from greenish-yellow to reddish. After pollination, they give way to samaras measuring 2 to 4.5 cm in length.

Fraxinus angustifolia 'Heterophylla Laciniata' is a small tree that is highly ornamental and accommodating, suitable for cultivation in most regions. It will find a place as a standalone specimen in medium to large gardens. It provides pleasant shade in the summer and takes part in the autumn colour festival. Cyclamens or clusters of daffodils can be planted at its base, as well as some ground cover perennials for dry shade, which are decorative in summer.