Genus Chionanthus (Fringe tree)

Chionanthus retusus Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais

kee-oh-NAN-thuss Common Name: Fringe tree

The trees and shrubs in the genus Chionanthus are unrivaled in beauty for their pendulous and diaphanous clusters of delicate white blossoms, which appear in May or June. Female specimens produce blue-black fruits in autumn.
Noteworthy characteristics: Chionanthus make sublime specimens in the landscape.  The leaves are late to emerge in the spring; some flower before leafing out. There is great variability in the individual forms, some are wide and spreading, others form single-stemmed, small trees. Some species are native to North America.
Care: Grow in fertile, well drained soil in full sun.
Propagation: Sow seed in a cold frame in fall; germination can take 18 months.
Problems: Infrequent.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Chionanthus

Chionanthus retusus
(Chinese fringetree) (1 user review)

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This species is grown for its billowy clusters of fragrant white blossoms, which appear in May or June. The erect clusters are more substantial than C. virginicus, and open at the same time as the leaves. Female specimens produce blue-black fruits in autumn.

Chionanthus virginicus
(White fringetree) Be the first to rate this plant

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This North American native is unrivaled in beauty for its pendulous and diaphanous clusters of fragrant white blossoms, which appear in May or June. The individual blossoms are made up of four petals that dangle from threadlike stems in great silken clusters. The leaves are late to emerge in the spring, and this species flowers before leafing out. Female specimens produce blue-black fruits in autumn.

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