Manna Ash

The Manna Ash is a beautiful, medium-sized deciduous tree that is quite distinct from our native ash. It is most famous for its spectacular display of fluffy, fragrant, creamy-white flowers which are produced in dense panicles at the tips of the branches in late spring. The scent is sweet and can fill the surrounding air. The foliage consists of dark green, pinnate leaves that turn attractive shades of purple, yellow, and burgundy in the autumn. It develops a neat, rounded crown and is very tolerant of urban conditions, including wind and air pollution. It is fully hardy in the UK (H6) and is particularly well-suited to alkaline or chalky soils, though it will grow in any well-drained ground. It produces winged seeds (keys) in late summer. It makes a fine specimen tree for a medium to large garden and is often used in parkland or street planting for its reliable beauty and toughness.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Any well-drained soil, thrives on chalk.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: May, Jun.