Chinese Fringe Tree
Growth habit
Tree
Perennation
Long-lived polycarpic perennial
Native distribution
China, Korea and Japan
Location
Source of plant
Baier Lustgarten Farms & Nurseries, Arnold Arboretum, Princeton Nurseries
Description
Large multi-stemmed shrub in cultivation that can be grown as a small tree; plants reach 15' to 25' but may reach 30' to 40' in the wild. The outline is rounded-spreading. The gray bark may be peeling or tightly ridged and furrowed. The leaves are leathery, smaller than those of C. virginicus, and lustrous. The flowers are snow-white, produced in May and June in erect, 2" to 3" tall and 4" wide cymose panicles on terminating shoots of the year. It tends to flower heavily in alternate years. Fruit is an ellipsoidal, 1/2" long dark blue drupe which ripens in Sept. through October, and occurs only on female plants.
USDA Hardiness Zone
5
Special characteristics
bark, fruiting characteristics, winter interest