Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Fraxinus lanuginosa

Japanese ash

Large, deciduous, rounded tree about 15m tall, with dark green leaves to 15cm long with up to 7 leaflets, turning yellow then purple in autumn. Creamy-white flowers are produced in panicles, late spring, followed by reddish-brown winged fruits. Conspicuous winter buds are pale pink or greyish-brown with short hairs

Join the RHS

Become an RHS Member today and save 25% on your first year

Join now
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Cream Yellow Green
Summer Green Brown Red
Autumn Yellow Purple
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Oleaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus

Fraxinus are medium-sized to large, mostly deciduous trees with attractive pinnate leaves, sometimes conspicuous flowers and autumn colour, and distinctive winged fruits

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Japan

How to grow

Cultivation

Excellent for woodland and coastal gardens where there is moist but well-drained alkaline or neutral soil and full sun. See tree cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Ash dieback has recently been found in the UK. Restrictions have been put in place (from 29 October 2012) regarding both the importation of ash from abroad and the movement of ash within the UK. May also be susceptible to honey fungus

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.