Chionanthus virginicus is one of the best native American flowering shrub/trees. Some consider Fringe Tree to be the most beautiful tree when in bloom and believe it should replace the Flowering Dogwood as the quintessential "American Flowering Tree".
Alternate common name: White Fringetree
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F E A T U R E S |
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Form
-deciduous tree or shrub
-10-20' tall x 10-20' wide
-spreading, open habit
-variable shapes
-commonly multi-trunked, but can be pruned into single stem form
-slow rate of growth (less than 12" per year)
-moderate life span |
Foliage
-opposite, simple
-entire
-coarse
-narrow elliptic and with a pointy tip
-3-5" long x variable width
-medium green
-downy, especially on the veins
-leaves emerge later in the spring than those of most plants
-autumn color yellow to brown |
Flowers
-dioecious (male and female plants)
-white, before the foliage
-pleasant fragrance
-loose drooping panicles, 6-8" long
-late May, on old wood
-male flowers more attractive |
Fruit
-dark blue berry
-egg-shaped, 0.5" long
-effective in Sept. |
Twig
-stout, often thickened between the nodes
-green to bluff-brown
-slightly squarish
-onion-skin like bark
-stems marked by dark lenticels |
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Trunk
-starts gray, smooth and becomes slightly ridged and furrowed
-bark is thin and easily damaged by mechanical impact |
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C U L T
U R E
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Culture
-best in sandy loam, slightly acidic soil in a sunny site, with afternoon shade
-will also grow in partial shade
-roots must be kept cool with appropriate mulching
-somewhat adaptable to other soil conditions except alkalinity and drought (tolerates city conditions)
-propagated by seed and, with difficulty, from rooted cuttings
-limited availability, B&B |
Hardiness
-zones 3 to 9
Origin
-native to Eastern U.S., New Jersey to Florida and Texas
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U S A G E |
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Assets
-outstanding floral display
Liabilities
-slow growth
-some damage from scales and mites as well as leaf spots, powdery mildew, and canker |
Function
-specimen, near large buildings
-group in border plantings
-excellent in borders
-best against a dark background
-also good for naturalizing
Texture
-medium texture in foliage and when bare
-moderate density in foliage and when bare |
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S E L
E C T I 0 N S |
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Varieties
and Cultivars
- Search
OSU PlantFacts for additional plants in this species
Alternates
p>-other spring-flowering trees (e.g., Cercis canadensis, Cornus florida, Crataegus, Malus, etc.) |