Fraxinus excelsior Crispa Variegata

Fraxinus excelsior 'Crispa Variegata' is a very rare form of the Common Ash. It is a dwarf, slow-growing tree with a picturesque silhouette and curly foliage variegated with yellow. Plant enthusiasts will appreciate the spectacle that this little ash tree provides throughout the seasons. Like any unique piece, it should be prominently planted in a small garden, or even in a large container on the terrace.

Fraxinus excelsior, also known as the common ash or tall ash, is a tree of the Oleaceae family, just like the olive tree, jasmine, privet, or lilac. It is mainly found in Europe, Scandinavia, and Russia, where it is common on riverbanks and in forests. It can reach a height of 20 to 30 metres and live up to 150 to 200 years. Its trunk is usually straight and its canopy is elongated. 
The 'Crispa Variegata' cultivar, whose origin is unknown, is even rarer than the 'Crispa' form. Often grafted on a stem to highlight its unusual vegetation, this Crispa Variegata ash develops a very dense, spreading ovoid crown. An adult specimen reaches an average height of 4 metres with a spread of 1.50 metres. The branches are greenish-grey and rigid and the leaves are very tight, composed of 7 to 13 curly and wavy, more or less elliptical, 3 to 5 cm long leaflets. The leaflets are randomly marked or bordered with yellow to cream yellow. Autumn is characterised by a colour change to warm shades of yellow, but sometimes the leaves do not change and remain green until the first frost. This sterile tree does not produce flowers or fruits.

The 'Crispa Variegata' Ash is an extraordinary plant that will delight collectors. It is a small tree highly resistant to winter cold (down to -30°C) that tolerates chalky soils if they are deep, moist, and rich. A sunny exposure is preferable, but it can tolerate a slightly shaded location. It is sensitive to stagnant water and drought. It is lovely planted as a solitary specimen to be admired up close. Plant enthusiasts will also appreciate the Twisted Peking Willow, 'Little Baby' Dwarf Sophora, or 'Monstrosa' Horse Chestnut.