Fraxinus angustifolia Heterophylla Laciniata - Narrow-leaved Ash, Southern Ash

The Fraxinus angustifolia 'Heterophylla Laciniata' is a very rare form of the Narrow-leaved Ash characterized by a fine-textured foliage, of rare elegance. Its lobed, narrow and undulating leaves, shiny dark green during the season, exhibit beautiful autumnal shades, ranging from yellow to orange and red. Over time, this tree develops a very vertical trunk supporting a light and rounded crown providing shade in summer. In a free form, it marks the landscape until autumn. Provide it with a clear location and a deep soil, not too dry in summer.

The Fraxinus angustifolia 'Heterophylla Laciniata' is a tree of the olive family, just like the olive tree and lilac. The type species, the Narrow-leaved Ash, is native to southern Europe, where it is common along riverbanks and shores. In France, this tree is mainly found in the southern half of our country, especially in the Mediterranean region, as well as along our Atlantic coast, from Vendée to Aquitaine.

This 'Heterophylla Laciniata' ash develops a vertical and rather short trunk, well cleared, topped with a round crown, rather closed when the tree is young, opening up a bit with age. At maturity, this canopy is airy, light in appearance, and the bark covering the trunk becomes grey, deeply fissured, and scaly. Ultimately, this tree will reach a height of 8 to 10 m, with the crown measuring about 5 to 6 m in spread. The deciduous foliage, very delicate, consists of compound leaves with 3 to 11 very narrow and lanceolate leaflets, more or less lobed, undulating, 5 to 10 cm long. Light green in spring, they darken in summer. In autumn, they adorn themselves with beautiful shades of yellow, orange, red, and purple for 3 to 5 weeks if not carried away by strong winds. Flowering occurs in spring, before the appearance of foliage, in the form of panicles ranging from greenish-yellow to reddish. After pollination, they give way to 2 to 4.5 cm long samaras.

The Fraxinus angustifolia 'Heterophylla Laciniata' is a small tree both very ornamental and accommodating, suitable for cultivation in most of our regions. It will find its place isolated in a medium to large-sized garden. It will provide pleasant shade in summer and participate in the autumn color festival. At its base, you can plant some cyclamens or a few groups of daffodils, and/or some ground cover perennials for dry shade, decorative in summer.