Flowering Ash

Fraxinus ornus

Native to:
Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lebanon-Syria, NW. Balkan Pen., Romania, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Oleaceae
Genus:
Fraxinus
Species:
Fraxinus ornus
USDA Symbol:
FROR2

Growth Characteristics

Height:
1500 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
apr,may,jun
Bloom Colors:
white, cream

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, bees
Fragrant:
Yes
Fall Color:
yellow, purple

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
Prefers calcareous soils in native habitats

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Seeds may exhibit double dormancy; warm stratification followed by cold may improve germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI