Fraxinus angustifolia Variegata - Ash

The Fraxinus angustifolia 'Variegata' is an astonishing and rare variegated foliage form of the Narrow-leaved Ash. Its very thin leaves start off as green heavily maculated with white, turning beautiful shades of red and copper in autumn. Growing quite slowly and smaller than the species, this tree develops an elegant habit over the years, composed of a very upright trunk supporting a light and rounded crown that provides shade in summer. In a free form, it is remarkably luminous and looks splendid in a garden. Its southern origins do not prevent it from being very cold-hardy. Provide this delightfully bright tree with an open location and any deep and moisture-retentive soil.

The Fraxinus angustifolia is a tree of the olive family, just like the olive tree and the lilac. It is native to southern Europe, where it is common along rivers and riverbanks. The 'Variegata' form, discovered before 1889, stands out with its more modest growth and variegated green and white foliage.

The habit of this ash tree is generally conical. It develops a fairly short and upright trunk, well cleared, topped by a rounded crown, rather closed when the tree is young, opening up with age. At maturity, this crown is airy, with a light appearance and the bark covering the trunk becomes grey, deeply fissured and scaly. The 'Variegata' cultivar has a slow growth rate: at the age of 10, it will have reached a height of 3 m (10 ft). At maturity, it generally reaches a height of 10 m (32 ft), with a crown measuring approximately 6 to 7 m (19 ft to 23 ft) in spread, remaining a modest tree, perfect in an ornamental garden. The deciduous foliage, very delicate, consists of compound leaves with 3 to 11 very narrow and lanceolate leaflets, measuring 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in) in length. Almost pale yellow when they first emerge, they then take on their characteristic color, a rather dark green maculated with white and cream-white. In autumn, they adorn themselves with beautiful shades of orange, red and copper for 3 to 5 weeks if strong winds do not blow them away. Flowering occurs in spring, before the foliage appears, in the form of yellow-cream panicles. After pollination, they give way to samaras measuring 2 to 4.5 cm (0.8 to 1.8 in) in length.

Perfectly hardy and with limited requirements, the Narrow-leaved Ash can tolerate any non-scorching exposure and adapts to any ordinary soil, including limestone. A particularly healthy tree, it is starting to gain popularity in gardens because, in a free form, its foliage and elegant habit give it true ornamental qualities. The 'Variegata' cultivar is much rarer, despite its obvious beauty and moderate growth. It will find its place as a standalone specimen in a medium to large-sized garden, where it will provide a pleasant shady spot in summer. To enhance this little corner of shade, consider planting some bulbs for spring and/or some shade-loving perennials for summer at its base.