Fraxinus excelsior Argenteovariegata

Fraxinus excelsior Argenteovariegata is a rare variety of common ash or European ash with variegated foliage. It forms a tree reaching 7m in height after 15 to 20 years. Its silhouette is graceful and its foliage very bright. Its young leaves are striped with white and pink in spring, the older ones are finely speckled with white and become dark green in mid-summer. This marbled foliage is most visible on young specimens, as the canopy grows taller and the tree matures, it becomes less visible. The intensity of the marbling is not constant, some years it is more pronounced than others. There is no autumn colouration in this variety. This slow-growing, beautiful and undemanding cultivar requires a suitable location to reveal all its charm.

Fraxinus excelsior, commonly known as common ash or European ash, is a tree of the olive 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, as well as 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 elongated. 

The Argenteovariegata variety was first described in England by Richard Weston in 1770. This variegated ash forms a tree with a broad column, with a canopy in a single trunk or several loose trunks. The initial crown is elevated. Slow-growing, it reaches a height of 6 to 8m and a spread of about 5 to 7m after 15 to 20 years. The bark of the branches is ash-coloured and smooth, then it cracks on the surface with age. The leaves are large and pinnate, composed of 9 to 11 lanceolate leaflets with serrated edges. The leaves develop late, in May, and fall early in autumn without changing colour. They are striped with white on the youngest leaves and speckled with white on the older ones. Besides being more visible on young specimens before the canopy is very tall, the marbling is also inconsistent from one year to another. An insignificant flowering occurs in April, followed by decorative, 3 to 3.5cm long fruits, samaras, in dense clusters, which remain on the tree during winter.

The common ash Argenteovariegata is a tree with an elegant silhouette and foliage, magnificent in its young years (which is a long time for a tree). It is robust and resistant to winter cold to -30°C. It requires fertile, deep, moist soil with an acidic to neutral pH, in a sunny or semi-shaded location. It is resistant to air pollution and strong winds. It is sensitive to stagnant water and water shortage, with leaves scorching in high heat. It can be planted alone or in groups for filtered shade or to add colour and light to the garden. It is recommended for gardens, parks, streets, squares, and large lawns.