Chionanthus Retusus Ashford

Chinese Fringetree

(Ashford Chinese Fringetree)
A selected male cultivar of Chinese fringetree valued for its exceptionally heavy, reliable flowering and strong, symmetrical tree form. ‘Ashford’ was chosen for uniform habit, excellent landscape performance, and abundant late-spring displays of fragrant, creamy-white fringe flowers. Because it is male, it does not produce fruit, making it a clean choice for patios, walks, and formal landscapes.

Size:



Width: 15–20 ft



Height: 20–25 ft



Zones: 5a–9b

Light: Full sun to partial shade
(Best flowering and structure in full sun.)

Soil: Moist, well-drained soils; adaptable to loam and clay; prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH

Features:



Flowers: Abundant, fragrant, creamy-white fringe-like blooms in late spring



Foliage: Glossy dark green leaves; yellow fall color



Form: Upright to rounded, single-stemmed small tree with excellent symmetry



Fruit: None (male selection)



Bark: Gray-brown; lightly textured with age



Attracts:
Pollinators

Uses:
Specimen tree, lawns, streetscapes, residential landscapes, Asian-inspired gardens, areas where fruit drop is undesirable

Notes:



Male cultivar — no fruit or litter issues



Typically more consistent flowering than seed-grown Chionanthus retusus



Low maintenance, pest resistant, and tolerant of urban conditions



Excellent alternative to flowering pears in smaller landscapes

Plant type

Flowering Ornamental Tree

Height

20-25'

Width

15-20'

Hardiness zones

5–9

Sunlight

Full sun to part shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Spring

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Yellow

Soil

Acidic, Clay, Moist well-drained, Sandy well-drained

Landscape use

Specimen

Shape

Broad Upright

Drought tolerant

No