Chionanthus virginicus (Fringe Tree)

Chionanthus virginicus (Fringe Tree) is a deciduous shrub or small tree that is spectacular in full bloom. In late spring to early summer, it is covered with delicate clouds of slightly fragrant, creamy-white flowers borne in long, drooping panicles. As the blooms fade, the petals fall like snow to the ground. Featuring a broad, spreading habit, Fringe Tree is dioecious, with separate male and female plants. While the male flowers have slightly longer petals and are generally showier, the female flowers give way to lovely clusters of dark blue fruit in late summer that provide food for birds and other wildlife. It is also a larval host plant for the rustic sphinx, waved sphinx, and laurel sphinx moths. The foliage of wide, spear-shaped leaves turns golden yellow in fall. Native to the eastern United States, this breathtaking plant tolerates air pollution and adapts well to urban settings. Top Pollution-Tolerant Trees That Thrive Where Others Fail

• Winner of the Cary Award which recognizes plants that are particularly adequate for New England, offer superior landscape appeal, and are winter hardy and pest resistant.
• Grows up to 12-20 ft. tall and wide (360-600 cm).
• A full sun or part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in moist, fertile, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Intolerant of prolonged dry conditions.
• Perfect as a specimen plant or in mixed borders.
• Low maintenance, this plant needs little pruning.
• Virtually pest and disease free.
• Propagate by seed in a cold frame in fall. May take up to 18 months to germinate

Chionanthus virginicus is native to the eastern and southeastern United States, ranging from New Jersey and Pennsylvania south to Florida and west to Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri. It naturally inhabits moist woodlands, streambanks, and rich bottomlands, thriving in well-drained but consistently moist soils across its broad native range.

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