Chionanthus virginicus

White Fringetree

(American Fringetree)
A graceful native deciduous small tree/large shrub prized for its fragrant, fringe-like white flowers in late spring. This adaptable understory plant offers clean summer foliage, yellow fall color, and (on female plants) blue-black fruit that adds wildlife value.

Size:



Width: 12–20 ft



Height: 12–20 ft
(Often multi-stemmed; can be trained to a single trunk.)



Zones: 3a–9b

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

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

Features:



Flowers: Fragrant, white, fringe-like blooms in late spring



Foliage: Glossy green; turns clear yellow in fall



Fruit: Blue-black drupes on female plants (with a male nearby)



Form: Rounded to spreading, multi-stemmed small tree or large shrub



Attracts:
Pollinators; birds (on fruiting female plants)

Uses:
Specimen planting, woodland edges, native gardens, understory tree, pollinator gardens

Notes:



Dioecious: Male and female plants are separate; fruit requires both sexes.



Native to eastern North America; low maintenance and generally pest-resistant.



Tolerates urban conditions once established.

Plant type

Flowering Ornamental Tree

Height

12-20'

Width

12-20'

Hardiness zones

3–9

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Fast

Bloom time

Late Spring

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Dark Green

Fall color

Green, Yellow

Attracts

Birds

Soil

Acidic, Clay, Loamy, Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Specimen

Shape

Broad Upright, Clumping

Fruit

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No