Botanical Name: Chionanthus retusus
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Common Name: Chinese Fringetree  
Plant photo of: Chionanthus retusus
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Water Saving Tip:

Even though it's hot, your lawn only needs to be watered twice a week to stay healthy.

And don't water the whole lawn for a brown spot—drag out a hose.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Tree, Shrub

 

Height Range

12-25'

 

Flower Color

White

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green, Yellow

 

Bark Color

Brown, Grey

 

Fruit Color

Blue

 

Fruit Season

Summer, Fall

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Acid

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese, Ranch

 

Accenting Features

Fragrance, Multi-trunk Tree, Showy Flowers, Specimen

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Shrub Border, Foundation, Patio, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Hedge, Screen

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Dave Ryden
  • Description

  • Notes

Chinese fringetree is an wonderful small, deciduous tree with upright and arching branches that form a soft dome. Leaves are a soft green with downy-white undersides, turning yellow in the fall. Clusters of white, fragrant, fringe-like flowers appear in profusion in May and June. Bark is grey-brown and exfoliating; very attractive in winter. It requires consistent training/pruning to be maintained as a tree, otherwise, it is a glorious, low-maintanance graceful, arching shrub. Grows about 15 to 20 feet tall and wide.
Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best flowering occurs in full sun. Prefers deep, fertile, acidic soils. Seldom needs pruning if a shrubby form is preferred. Tolerant of air pollution and adapts well to urban settings. Intolerant of prolonged dry conditions.