Chionanthus virginicus White Fringe Tree
Height: 12.00 to 20.00 feet
Spread: 12.00 to 20.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: Creamy white
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Flower: Showy, Fragrant
Chionanthus virginicus, commonly called fringetree, is a deciduous, native shrub or small tree with a spreading, rounded habit that typically grows 12-20' tall. Common name refers to the slightly fragrant, spring-blooming flowers which feature airy, drooping clusters (4-6" long) of fringe-like, creamy white petals. Dioecious (separate male and female plants), but also may have perfect flowers on each plant. Male flowers are showier than female flowers. Fertilized perfect or female flowers give way to clusters of olive-like fruits which ripen to a dark, bluish black in late summer and are a food source for birds and wildlife. Wide, spear-shaped leaves (to 8" long) turn yellow in autumn.
This plant grows best in full to part sun with the best foliage in partial shade and the best flowering in full sun.