Fraxinus americana 'Autumn Purple'

RHS Plant Profile

American ash 'Autumn Purple'

Synonyms

Fraxinus excelsior 'Autumn Purple'

Trees

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A spreading, broadly conical, deciduous tree to around 18m tall. Leaves are made up of seven, nine or rarely five, oval to oblong leaflets, dark green above and whitish-green below. Leaves turn vibrant shades of red, purple, orange and yellow in the autumn. Inconspicuous green flowers are borne in spring. The grey bark develops distinctive ridging on mature trees

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or East–facing or South–facing or North–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Low Maintenance

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