Fragrant Ash (Fraxinus)

A most unusual native woody plant, Fragrant Ash (Fraxinus cuspidata) blooms in the late spring with showy, fragrant flower clusters that hang down from the branch tips. It will attract birds and bees, and butterflies. It can be considered as a large, slow-growing shrub or small, multi-stemmed tree. It’s rarely available in the trade, but fortunately for High Country Gardeners, our Chief horticulturist, David Salman, has been cultivating this Fraxinus for many years and is now able to harvest seeds from his landscape plants. It grows well in a variety of soils but requires good drainage. Easy-to-grow, it’s a large shrub/small tree that is especially useful for planting in small yards and patios. Columbine (Aquilegia), Hardy Plumbago (Ceratostigma), and Hummingbird Trumpet (Zauschneria) are just a few of the part shade-loving perennials that will thrive underneath its branches.