PLANT FOCUS | CLARET ASH

A Claret Ash rises from the street over my in-laws' garden, and our family gatherings are made all the more special under its generous shade. Christmas lunch, summer catch-ups, afternoon beers – they all happen under its canopy. I wasn’t able to plant one in my own garden, I had to accept that it would get too big for our inner-city garden. Sometimes the right plant isn't the one you want most.

Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywood' earns its keep as a medium-sized deciduous shade tree, reaching 12-15 metres with a broad, rounded crown. Pair it with a medium-sized garden, and it offers the substantial presence that smaller trees can't match – genuine enclosure and seasonal drama without overwhelming the space. The compound leaves still create effective shade, allowing cooling breezes to move through the canopy, while still providing meaningful summer shelter.

Growing conditions

Full sun and well-drained soil are essential. Drought tolerant once established, but needs regular watering through its first few seasons. Generally trouble-free, though young trees benefit from structural pruning to develop strong branching.

In the garden

The real magic happens in autumn, when the foliage transforms to a deep and vibrant burgundy; dark enough to provide dramatic contrast against lighter-coloured understory plantings and neighbouring trees. I've missed seeing this display the past two seasons and genuinely felt disappointed each time. For larger gardens wanting a feature tree that works hard through summer and puts on a genuine show in autumn, the Claret Ash delivers reliable performance with memorable seasonal punctuation.