Fraxinella- a rare and unique plant. Twenty years of my communication with him have not revealed any significant shortcomings in this flower. On the contrary, every year the ash tree commands more and more respect.
Yasenets also has another name - burning bush. It is given for its unusual property. On a hot day in the sun, ash tree exudes a lot of ethereal vapors. If you bring a lit match to it, the air around the plant flares up. But surprisingly: the blue flame does not harm the flower itself!
Fraxinella. Description
I can tell a lot of good things about this flower. He reminds me of people about whom they say: “The breed is just rushing!” And the human race, as you know, is not in the shape of the nose or the height of growth, but in the ability from generation to generation to keep one’s family stable and prosperous.
In the ash tree, like garden flower, - there is plenty of everything. Although nothing “screams” or sticks out excessively.
Firstly, the ash tree is beautiful, but with that strict natural beauty that is now becoming the standard of an ornamental plant.
Secondly, the ash tree does not grow and does not crowd out other flowers, but grows compactly and predictably, for many years within the same framework.
Thirdly, ash is resistant to frost, drought-resistant, and undemanding to soil fertility. And, in addition, it does not lose its decorative effect throughout the entire growing season. Already a lot, isn’t it?!
Ash tree (Dictamnus) is a genus of perennial herbs of the Rutaceae family. Total nerds
There are six species of ash trees growing in the warm temperate and subtropical zones of Eurasia. Three (or four) species are found in the mountain belt of southern Russia.
WHITE ASH (D. albus) - in nature distributed from Southern and Central Europe to Southern Siberia. The plant has several erect branched stems up to 90 cm high. The leaves are dense, long-petiolate, odd-pinnate with ovate, pointed leaves. In central Russia, white ash is quite common in cultivation. The flowers of this species are white, fragrant, up to 2.5 cm in diameter, in racemose inflorescences up to 20 cm long. There are decorative forms and varieties with pink and dark red flowers. It blooms in June-July for about a month.
The fruit is a five-locular capsule. The seeds are black, shiny, ripen in August. Seeds should be collected in advance, since the plants shoot them far away when fully ripe.
The stem and leaves of ash trees are covered with short glandular hairs and have a rather strong smell. Attention! Touching them, especially in hot weather, can cause skin burns. Wear gloves when handling the plant.
CAUCASIAN ash tree (D. caucasicus). Grows in the Caucasus, Iran, and the lower reaches of the Volga. Reaches a height of 80 cm. The leaves are odd-pinnate with rather large ovate leaflets. The flowers are most often pinkish-lilac, sometimes white.
FLUFFY ASH (D. dasycarpus). It grows in the Far East, but can be successfully cultivated in the Middle Zone. It has bright pink flowers with purple veins, collected in racemes up to 20 cm.
IN natural conditions The ash tree often settles on rocks, spreading its roots deep into the crevices of stones. It is simply impossible to dig it out without damage. So they once sent me stubs of the downy ash tree. Moreover, it was already in November.
I had to plant it in practically frozen ground without any hope. In spring, the plants did not appear on the surface for a long time, but in June they all came to life. Since then they have been growing in the same place. When the plants bloomed, it turned out that it was very difficult to distinguish this species from other types of ash - the same leaves and the same flowers.
Fraxinella. Care
Ash tree is sun-loving, drought-resistant, and undemanding to the presence of organic matter. But despite all the undemandingness, there are conditions in which ash trees will definitely not grow - these are waterlogged soil and dense shade.
In our climate, it can even be called a dry-lover. So in central Russia you need to water it only when absolutely necessary.
Landing place. When planning to plant an ash tree, keep in mind that an additional advantage of the location is protection from northern winds. This could be buildings, trees or natural terrain. For example, the location on the slopes of southern or western exposure is very favorable.
Illumination- open sun, hot. It is good to place boulders at the base of the plants, which contribute to deep heating of the soil, because the ash tree really likes warm soils.
The soil. Light composition, with good drainage and deeply cultivated, relatively fertile. A good option would be a mixture of turf soil, humus and sand (1:2:2).
It used to be that the front garden changed its face every year. Now spruces, thujas, junipers and much more are planted under the windows, which can live for decades. Yasenets is good company for them. A native of the mountains, he also loves being around stones. It will fit harmoniously, for example, into a rock garden.
It is advisable for his partners to choose the same slow-growing and durable plants as himself. Good inclusions of ash in coniferous compositions. Lavender, lumbago, and prominent sedum look great nearby. At the foot there are organic ground covers: thymes, antennaria, arabis, young, carpet sedums.
In any combination, ash will be a highlight, since it is quite rare plant. Its unusual flowers framed by long stamens always attract attention.
The ash tree is propagated by seeds, which are sown immediately after harvesting. When stored, they quickly lose their viability. The seeds are black, shiny, and have a strong scent of essential oils.
It is better to sow ash tree right away permanent place, since it does not tolerate transplantation well, as well as dividing the bush. But when the divisions take root, problems no longer arise. The ash tree is not damaged by pests and practically does not get sick. After flowering, it remains green for a long time, the leaves do not fade and do not dry out before frost. Agree, a plant with such properties is desirable in every garden.
HELL. Smirnov, Vladimir
Number of impressions: 4756
Ash tree is my plant by date of birth. I was born on September 17; According to church concepts, this day is the feast of the Burning Bush icon. And this is the most favorite plant in my garden.
I read in the Bible about how Moses was expelled into the desert, where he tended sheep for many years and reflected on life. One day a thunderstorm began, and he decided to hide from the weather under a bush. Suddenly lightning struck the bush, causing it to catch fire.
Imagine Moses’ surprise when he later saw: the bush that had just burned stood as if nothing had happened - alive and green. It was from this bush that the voice of God came and gave instructions to Moses.
It was the famous one - the Burning Bush...
Ash tree in the garden
The Russian name for the Burning Bush is , the Latin name is dictamnus. Botanists classify this perennial rhizome herbaceous plant to the Rutaceae family.
The ash tree is found over a vast territory from the Mediterranean to the Far East.
From several known species There are two common types of ash in gardens:
1. Dictamnus alba(Dictamnus albus) is native to Western and Central Europe.
2. Dictamnus caucasica(Dictamnus caucasicus) native to the southern regions and warm countries - with pinkish-lilac or white flowers covered with streaks of purple shades.
I have been interested in ash for a long time, I have seen white and pink varieties of this plant. But I always dreamed of an ash tree with snow-white flowers that spread a charming aroma in the garden...
White ash has been cultivated since ancient times and grown in gardens. Available garden forms white ash - varieties with pink and brownish-red flowers.
Dreaming of growing white ash in my garden, I couldn’t get my hands on this plant for a very long time. I tried to grow ash trees from seeds – both from store-bought ones and from those received from friends. I tried to sow them in the summer, and sowed them. For spring sowing it is recommended preliminary seed ash for 3-4 months.
As a result, I was never able to get the desired shoots...
Finally, one winter I ordered a white ash seedling from one of the stores. I received the plant I ordered in the spring and planted it in the garden.
I cover my ash tree for the winter, because the winters in our area are harsh.
In the first season, my ash tree only grew one branch. And in the second year, the young bush formed a second branch, and the long-awaited flower stalk appeared!
Very graceful, white flowers with thin long stamens bloomed. And the aroma... Blooming ash trees give off a very strong and pleasant aroma.
In my garden, the white ash bush is becoming more and more beautiful and lush. Every year a branch grows on it, and each branch blooms.
This summer (2012) the ash bush bloomed with many beautiful flowers on four peduncles. I inhaled the wonderful aroma and admired them, taking photographs with pleasure.
The summer was hot, and for the first time this year, my ash tree's seeds ripened. Unfortunately, I missed the moment of cracking of the boxes, and the seeds were scattered around (self-seeding of ash is possible within a radius of up to 3 meters).
The ash tree produced a lot of seeds; they are enclosed in a hard, black, shiny shell. Although the ash seeds are small, I still managed to find a few on the path near the plant. The remaining seeds probably fell to the ground and were scattered far around the ash tree.
Later, I saw a couple of sprouts near my plant, obviously from its sprouted seeds. These seedlings are different from weeds; the structure of their leaves is similar to that of an adult ash tree. I will be very pleased if these seedlings overwinter well. Then next season I will be able to give my friends seedlings of this beautiful plant - Burning Bush, ash, dictamnus.
The ash tree secretes resinous fragrant substances: the plant is studded with glands that evaporate essential oils. Especially a lot essential oils spreads around him in the heat, in the sun. According to the biblical story, they burned when lightning hit the bush, but the plant itself was not damaged...
By the way, the Burning Bush icon was previously kept in every home as protection from fire.
They say that if you bring a light to a plant when the weather is hot and windless, the fire will flare up stronger and seem to run along the ash tree branch without causing damage to it.
Indeed, the ethereal smell emanates from the plant is very strong. But I didn’t set my ash bush on fire to verify this amazing ability of the Burning Bush - I feel sorry for my favorite plant...
Burning Bush in the Monastery of St. Catherine
On the Sinai Peninsula, at the foot of Mount Sinai, stands the monastery of St. Catherine, where the inhabitants are Greek Orthodox monks.
The monastery was named after the discovery of the relics of St. Catherine, and before it was called the Monastery of the Transfiguration or the Burning Bush.
A large bush of this plant still grows on the territory of the St. Catherine's Monastery. amazing plant, with which important historical events for all Christians who know and honor the Holy Scriptures. According to legend, this is the same bush of the Burning Bush from which the Lord spoke to Moses. You can even hold on to its roots...
For help in research and a historical excursion to the monastery of St. Catherine, I want to say a huge thank you to Natasha Golubeva!
Of course, in our cold climate the Burning Bush bush does not reach such impressive sizes as is possible in Sinai. But this wonderful biblical plant, blooming and fragrant in the garden, gives me and other gardeners a lot of joy.
Vera Anatolyevna Karpova (Ekaterinburg)
Yasenets - perennial from the Rutaceae family. People call ash tree, bergenia or wild star anise. Yasenets is considered a rather unpretentious plant and very common throughout Russia.
The ash tree grows up to one meter in height, the stems of the ash tree are densely pubescent with glandular hairs, they are erect. Thanks to the hairs of the ash tree, it received its second name: burning bush. And all because when they come into contact with the skin, these hairs release a substance that, under the influence sun rays may cause burns. When working in a flower garden where ash trees grow, be careful.
There is an opinion that if you bring a burning match to this plant in dry, hot weather, a flame will ignite.
Otherwise, the ash tree is very attractive. White or pink flowers ash trees with red veins, fragrant, collected in tall racemose inflorescences.
Immediately after the ash seeds are ripe, they are sown in open ground. Ash seeds can also be sown in spring or before winter.
The ash tree blooms at a “mature” age, usually in the fourth year. The ash tree will not cause you any more problems. It will grow in one place for many, many years. Also, ash trees can be propagated by dividing the bush. Its roots are divided in autumn or early spring. In summer, ash trees can be propagated by green cuttings. For better rooting, cuttings can be treated with rooting stimulants and covered on top plastic bottle before rooting.
Ash tree can grow well on sunny areas and in the shade. In particular, it grows and develops well on neutral or alkaline soils. It is necessary to remember that ash tree does not tolerate damp soil, and if there is close underwater groundwater on your site, then when planting the plant, do not forget about drainage.
Caring for ash is not very difficult. Watering, weeding the soil, loosening the soil. During the flowering period, it is recommended to feed with complex fertilizers.
The ash tree blooms in June within 30-45 days. The ash tree looks great in group plantings. In flower beds, ash looks good with heuchera, daylily, monarda, and liatris.
For the third year now, it has been impossible to grow ash trees from seeds. This year I also bought a bag and put it in the refrigerator. Tell me what to do next?
Ash (dictamnus) seeds have a very dense, glossy shell. To germinate such seeds, you need to repeat the process that occurs in nature.
The seeds, after they ripen (the ash tree shoots them 2-3 m), fall to the soil surface. In the fall, they are soaked by rain, they swell, the shell loosens, but the onset of frost does not allow them to germinate.
In this “preserved” form, the seed lies until warm days. In the spring, with melt water, it is drawn into the soil and, when it warms up, the seed germinates. This process is called stratification. Trying to replace it by storing a bag of seeds in the refrigerator will do nothing.
If you did not have time to sow ash seeds before winter to allow them to undergo natural stratification, this can be done at home (even now).
The seeds are soaked at room temperature in a damp cloth for 7-10 days, then they are sown in damp sand (shallow). The container is placed in plastic bag and put in the refrigerator (not the freezer!) for 50-60 days.
Make sure that the sand is damp, but there is no stagnation of water. Ventilate regularly to prevent mold from forming. In the spring, sow the seeds prepared in this way into the ground. I would advise sowing immediately in a permanent place.
In the first year, Dictamnus develops unnoticed by us - it increases root system, and there are only 2-4 leaves. Even young 2-year-old seedlings can hardly tolerate replanting.
Yasenets - sun-loving plant. It also develops well in partial shade, but in the sun the aroma of the flowers is stronger. Does not love acidic soils, responds gratefully to regular watering.
It does not require shaping or staking, as the stems do not lie down. Overwinters without special shelter under a layer of fallen leaves.
Ash tree (Dictamnus) is a perennial herbaceous plant from the Rutaceae family. It is popularly known as the “burning bush.”
It has a characteristic and dangerous feature - in hot and dry weather, the stems and leaves release volatile, flammable substances into the air. If you bring a burning match to a plant, it will momentarily burst into flames without being harmed by the fire.
Refers to poisonous plants. This must be taken into account when planning to plant a flower on your site. If you touch the stems and leaves in hot weather, you can get a chemical burn that does not heal for a long time. Inhaling the aroma of dictamnus, there is a risk of getting burns to the respiratory tract.
The most common types of ash in flower beds are white and Caucasian. This unpretentious plant, which does not cause much trouble in growing, in middle lane our country and in particular in the Moscow region.
Dictamnus forms bushes with erect shoots up to one and a half meters high. The stems are covered with hairs with glands that secrete a burning substance. When working with the irresistible bush, you only need to wear gloves and closed clothing!
Ash inflorescences are a raceme, 20–30 cm long, consisting of large white with pink stripes, dark pink or lilac flowers, shaped like orchids or lilies. The aroma of blooming dictamnus is pronounced lemon. Ash flowering occurs at the beginning - mid-summer, and lasts 35 - 40 days. The seeds ripen in August and are enclosed in a fruit capsule.
Kinds
- White ash is common in Siberia and Europe. Forms bushes up to 150 cm high. Blooms with pink or red flowers with a cinnamon scent.
- Caucasian is found in southern Russia. It reaches a height of 80 cm. The flowering is white or lilac. May cause allergies and dermatitis, should not be touched with bare hands and sniff.
- Holostolbikovy grows in the Crimea, in the Lower and Middle Volga. The height of the stems is slightly more than 100 cm, the flowers are large, white or pinkish, with a dark red longitudinal stripe on the petals. May cause skin burns when touched, especially in hot weather. Winter-hardy and drought-resistant.
Choosing a site in the garden and preparing the soil
Ash tree grows well on sunny places and in light shade, because in nature it is found mainly at the edge of the forest. Dictamnus is undemanding to soils and can grow in poor sandy soils, put up with excess humidity. But in order for the plant to demonstrate the beauty and splendor of flowering as much as possible, it is worth choosing fertile soils with moderate humidity.
Loams or sandy loams filled with humus and sand, with the addition of rotted manure or compost, are suitable. When lying close groundwater Drainage (crushed stone, expanded clay, pebbles and sand) must be poured into the planting holes.
An ash tree can grow in one place for 20 years, so you need to prepare the area for the flower with the utmost care.
Reproduction of the burning bush
Ash tree can be propagated by seeds or by dividing the bush. The last method is the simplest and most often used by gardeners. At the beginning of summer, a part of an adult dictamnus bush is cut off with a sharp shovel and transplanted to a new place. The resulting hole near the mother bush is filled with humus. It is important to carry out the operation quickly, without allowing the roots to dry out. For better survival, ash divisions are watered with a solution of Kornevin or Heteroauxin. Plantings are mulched to retain moisture in the ground.
Ash seeds do not always have time to ripen in the climatic conditions of the Moscow region, therefore, it is better to purchase them from large producers. You need to take fresh ones, as the ash tree quickly loses its viability.
Sow before winter in a prepared bed with loose, weed-free soil. The burning bush can sprout even a year or a year and a half after sowing, so you should be patient.
Spring sowing of ash is carried out as soon as the soil has warmed up a little (around April). Place the seeds at a distance of 15 cm, cover the crops with film or lutrasil.
Seedlings emerge and grow very slowly, and bloom only in the third or fourth year. At the entire stage of ash tree growth, they strictly monitor the cleanliness of the soil from weeds and regularly water the plantings.
Caring for mature plants in the garden
Ash tree is an unpretentious plant. It requires watering only during the dry period; in a normal summer in the middle zone there is enough natural precipitation. Responds positively to mulching the soil surface with humus, tree bark, and mown grass. Under the cover, the soil does not dry out or overheat, and the growth of weeds is inhibited.
The plant does not require fertilizing. It is enough early in the spring to sprinkle the soil around the bush with rotted compost or manure. In mid-summer, it is useful to scatter 250 - 300 g of wood or grass ash under the bushes.
Faded shoots from the plant are cut off so that the bush retains its decorative appearance.
The ash tree does not suffer from any diseases. Pests also bypass poisonous plant side.
In the middle zone it winters well under snow cover, additional shelter is not required. The above-ground part of the flower is cut off before the onset of stable frosts.
Ash tree in a flower garden
Overgrown flowering bushes Burning bushes look beautiful in single plantings on the lawn. Ash trees are planted in rock gardens, rock gardens, and in the background of mixborders. Good partners will be: heuchera, daylilies, gypsophila, monarda.
Do not forget about the toxicity of the plant. Dictamnus should not be placed near paths, playgrounds or recreation areas. Ash peduncles are not cut for bouquets, although the flower remains decorative for a long time. It is better to admire the beautiful blooms from afar.
IN folk medicine all parts of the plant are used as an anti-inflammatory, diuretic and anthelmintic agent.
