Chionanthus virginicus - White Fringetree (Oleaceae) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chionanthus virginicus is one of the best native -white, before the foliage American flowering shrub/trees. Some consider -pleasant fragrance White Fringetree to be the most beautiful tree when -loose drooping panicles, 6-8" long in bloom and believe it should replace the Flowering -late May, on old wood Dogwood as the quintessential "American Flowering -male flowers more attractive Tree". Fruits -dark blue berry FEATURES -egg-shaped, 0.5" long Form -effective in Sept. -deciduous tree or shrub Twigs -10-20' tall x 10-20' -stout, often thickened between the nodes wide -green to bluff-brown -spreading, open habit -slightly squarish -variable shapes -onion-skin like bark -commonly multi- -stems marked by dark lenticels trunked, but can be Trunk pruned into single stem -starts gray, smooth and becomes slightly ridged and form furrowed -slow rate of growth -bark is thin and easily damaged by mechanical (less than 12" per year) impact -moderate life span USAGE Culture Function -best in sandy loam, slightly acidic soil in a sunny -specimen, near large buildings site, with afternoon shade -group in border plantings -will also grow in partial shade -excellent in borders -roots must be kept cool with appropriate mulching -best against a dark background -somewhat adaptable to other soil conditions except -also good for naturalizing alkalinity and drought (tolerates city conditions) Texture -propagated by seed and, with difficulty, from rooted -medium texture in foliage and when bare cuttings -moderate density in foliage and when bare -limited availability, B& B Assets Foliage -outstanding floral display -opposite, simple Liabilities -entire -slow growth -coarse -some damage from scales and mites as well as leaf -narrow elliptic and with a pointy tip spots, powdery mildew, and canker -3-5" long x variable width Habitat -medium green -Zones 3 to 9 -downy, especially on the veins -Native to Eastern U.S., New Jersey to Florida and -leaves emerge later in the spring than those of most Texas plants -autumn color yellow to brown SELECTIONS Alternates -other spring-flowering trees (e.g. Cercis canadensis, Cornus florida, Crataegus, Malus, etc.) Cultivars – Variants – Related species -the straight species is the main form available -Chionanthus retusus - Chinese Fringetree - similar to, but eventually larger than White Fringetree except that the flowers appear at the end of a shoot growth flush in the spring (with leaves) Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8 Height: 20' Spread: 20' Form: rounded Chinese Fringe Tree grows best in a sunny location. The white flowers appear in late spring or early summer. May not be as hardy. The bark is also Flowers ornamental and provides winter interest. -dioecious (male and female plants).