Felder Rushing
Family
Oleaceae
Botanical Name
CHIONANTHUS virginicus
Plant Common Name
Common Fringetree, Granddaddy Graybeard
General Description
The wispy white flower clusters of common fringetree add a delightful haze to the spring garden. This native to the southeastern United States is a hardy deciduous large shrub or small tree that naturally inhabits moist woodlands. It covers a broad range of distribution, from New York State to Texas, so it is best to plant from regional stock.
When mature, the common fringetree develops an irregular, spreading crown. Its leaves are oblong and medium green with varying degrees of glossiness. The lightly fragrant, feathery white flowers appear in mid to late spring before the leaves fully emerge. Plants are either male or female, or dioecious. After pollination by bees, the female trees form clusters of small waxy dark blue fruits that are eaten by birds. The foliage turns muted yellow-brown shades in fall.
Grow the common fringetree in full sun to partial shade and acid to neutral soil that’s moist and fertile. It blooms on one year old wood, so be sure to only prune after it flowers. Otherwise, you may prune off next year’s flower buds. In cold regions it grows more slowly and adopts a shrubbier habit; where winters are mild it becomes more tree-like. Fringetree has few pest and disease problems but is favored by deer.
This is a breathtaking plant for the garden. Plant it as a specimen for a large foundation, in a mixed border or an open woodland garden among dogwoods, redbuds and azaleas.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 9
-
Sunset Zone
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
-
Plant Type
Tree
-
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
-
Height
12'-20' / 3.7m - 6.1m
-
Width
10'-16' / 3.0m - 4.9m
-
Bloom Time
Spring, Late Spring
-
Native To
United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, South-Central United States, Texas
Growing Conditions
-
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
-
Soil Drainage
Well Drained
-
Soil type
Clay, Loam
-
Tolerances
Drought
-
Growth Rate
Slow
-
Water Requirements
Average Water
-
Habit
Oval/Rounded
-
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
White
-
Fruit Color
Dark Blue, Black
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Light Green
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow, Tan, Brown
-
Bark Color
Sandy Brown, Gray
-
Fragrant Flowers
Yes
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Repeat Bloomer
No
-
Showy Fruit
Yes
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
Yes
-
Foliage Texture
Medium
-
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
-
Evergreen
No
-
Showy Bark
No
