Flowering Ash

Flowering Ash (Fraxinus ornus) is the deciduous shade tree for gardens that want a display twice a year. It reaches about 8m tall and 6m across, and in spring it covers itself in frothy cream flower panicles with a honey scent that draws bees from across the block. In autumn the foliage turns purple then gold before the tree drops its leaves and lets winter sun back into the house.

Why you'll love it

• Scented spring flowers. Few shade trees flower at all. This one throws creamy plumes across the whole canopy for several weeks.
• Autumn colour worth having. Leaves move through purple tones to gold, so the tree earns its place at both ends of the season.
• Genuinely tough. Drought, heat, wind and frost tolerant once established, a rare combination in a flowering tree.
• The right size for a real garden. At 8m it gives proper shade without the scale of a full sized ash.

Where it works best

Shade over a lawn or patio. A single tree throws useful summer shade and then lets the winter sun through, which is exactly what a north facing living area needs.

Driveways and avenues. Allow about 6m between trees to match the mature spread. Closer spacing gives a faster tunnel effect but each canopy ends up one sided.

Feature planting in smaller gardens. It holds a neat rounded head, so it works as the one tree in a courtyard where a larger species would be a mistake.

Growing Flowering Ash in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, in cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens. It is frost hardy and handles dry summer heat, so it suits Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra and inland districts. It is not a tree for the wet tropics, where the winter chill it needs for autumn colour never arrives.

Soil. Tolerant of most soils including limey ground, provided drainage is reasonable. Dig a wide hole rather than a deep one, work compost through the backfill, and mulch 75mm deep clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak weekly through the first two summers to push roots down. After that it copes with long dry spells. A complete slow release fertiliser each spring is enough.

Pruning. Prune in late winter while the tree is bare. Remove crossing branches and lift the lower limbs gradually to the clearance you want. Avoid heavy cuts in spring, when the sap is running.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in two advanced sizes, 45L and 100L. A 45L tree is a well formed young standard with a clear trunk and a developing head. The 100L gives you two or three years of head start and needs two people and a trolley to move into position.

Deciduous stock may arrive bare or nearly bare depending on the season, and that is normal rather than a fault. Expect the first season to go into roots, with real height from the second year. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full deciduous tree range
• Choosing the best canopy trees for shade
• Compare trees and plants with autumn colour
• Trees suited to driveways and avenues

Common questions

How big will it actually get?

About 8m tall and 6m wide in an open garden. It stays smaller on poor dry ground, and reaches full size fastest with deep watering through its first few summers.

Are the roots a problem near paving or pipes?

Ash roots are vigorous, so give it at least 4m of clearance from paths, slabs and services. In a tight courtyard, a large pot or a smaller species is the safer choice.

Will it colour up in a warm climate?

Autumn colour depends on cold nights. Expect a strong purple and gold display in cool temperate gardens, and a shorter, more muted turn in mild coastal areas.