Green Guide: Chionanthus spp.

Fringetrees (Chionanthus spp.) are outstanding, small, deciduous ornamental trees. Two species are available, the native white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) and the Chinese fringetree (Chionanthus retusus.) The botanical name translates as snow flower, an excellent description of the fluffy, white flowers that cover fringetrees in bloom. White fringetree, also known as Grancy graybeard or old man’s beard, is native throughout South Carolina and the southeastern United States. Chinese fringe­tree is native to eastern Asia.
 
Native white fringetrees remain small, maturing at 12 to 20 feet in height and 12 to 20 feet in width. Trees in the wild may be taller. Fringetrees naturally grow with multiple stems, but can be trained to single trunks. The typical form is spreading with an open crown, but plant habit can vary.

Chinese fringetree is somewhat taller than white fringetree, usually growing 15 to 25 feet tall. The habit is similar to white fringetree, with a rounded, spreading crown, but is usually less open.
 
Fringetrees grow slowly, usually only 6 to 10 inches per year. In ideal conditions with rich, moist, fertile soil they may grow up to one foot per year. There is only one growth period each year.

Chinese fringetree flowers are formed on small, dense clusters. Photos by Karen RussOrnamental features
Large, 4-to 8-inch loose clusters of lightly fragrant white flowers cover the white fringetree in spring for about two weeks just as the leaves begin to emerge. Fringe trees are dioecious, although occasional trees may have both kinds of flowers present on the same plant. Male flowers are showier due to longer petals. However, both male and female trees are striking in bloom.
 
Chinese fringetree leaves are smaller than those of the native white fringetree, usually rounded, thick, leathery and glossy. While white fringetree flowers open before the leaves appear, Chinese fringetree flowers open after leaves emerge.
 
Female fringetrees bear attractive fruit if male plants are nearby. The fruit are blue-black, ½ to 2/3 inches long and shaped like olives, to which fringetrees are related. The fruit ripens in late summer to early autumn and are enjoyed by birds. When fruit are still present during years of good fall leaf color, the contrast of dark blue fruit and yellow foliage is striking.

Landscape use
Fringetrees are excellent anywhere that a small tree is needed, such as near a patio, in small yards or under power lines. Like many white-flowered plants, they look especially nice planted in front of a dark backdrop. They can be used as individual specimens, in groups, in mixed shrub borders or in natural gardens. They are well suited to urban plantings due to pollution tolerance and adaptability to varied soils. Fringetrees are not salt tolerant. 
 
Although fringetrees are adaptable and will grow in most soil types, they prefer moist, deep, well-drained, acidic soils. They grow well in full sun to partial shade. Leaf appearance is best in some shade, but flowering is heaviest in full sun. The ideal compromise would be sun through most of the day, but shade during hot afternoon hours.
 
Due to a naturally strong branch structure, fringetrees rarely need pruning.