Fringe Tree

Chionanthus virginicus Oleaceae

Growth habit

Tree

Perennation

Long-lived polycarpic perennial

Native distribution

Not Native to the Finger Lakes Region, Southern NJ to FL & TX

Location

Mundy Wildflower Garden, Houston and Grossman Ponds, Zucker Shrub Collection

Source of plant

Princeton Nurseries

Description

Large shrub or small tree with a spreading, rather open habit, often wider than high. Summer foliage medium to dark green, sometimes lustrous, becoming yellow-green-brown in fall, although color can be a bright golden yellow. Flowers dioecious or polygamo-dioecious, white, fargrant, males moreeffective than females due to longer petals, borne in 6" to 8" long, fine, fleecy, soft-textured panicles inMay and early June just as the leaves are expanding to the point of complete development, borne on theprevious season's wood. Fruit a dark blue, 1/2" to 3/5" long fleshy drupe, effective in August andSeptember; interesting but often overlooked because partially hidden by foliage.

USDA Hardiness Zone

5