Overview of Fringe Tree:

I first learned about the fringe tree when I was doing my nursery internship. In late spring an abundance of feathery white flowers appear, providing a showy display. The flowers will perfume your garden with their sweet smell.

Latin Name:

This plant is classified as Chionanthus virginicus in the Oleaceae (Olive) family.

Common Names:

Common names that you may see for this plant include fringe tree, white fringe tree, old man's beard and Grancy Greybeard

Preferred USDA Hardiness Zones:

This shrub should be planted in Zones 3-9 for best results.

Size & Shape:

At maturity it will be around 12-20' tall and wide. It can have several trunks, making the shape variable depending on the way they grow.

Exposure:

Chionanthus virginicus can be grown in full sun to part shade.

Foliage/Flowers/Fruit of Fringe Tree:

Leaves that are 3-8" long appear as the tree is flowering in late spring.The shrub is dioecious. Choose a specimen with male flowers for a better show of the white blooms that appear in May and June.

In the fall, clusters of small blue fruit will be produced on the female plants.

Design Tips:

This will be a delightful addition of white coloring for your garden in spring. The blue fruit can add a touch of color in fall.

Birds like to eat the fruit, so use this as part of a wildlife garden.

This can be planted in a city yard since it can handle the pollution found there.

Growing Tips For Fringe Tree:

Choose a location with acidic soil for best results. Soil that is a little alkaline will also work, but this shrub does not grow well in most alkaline soils.

The fringe tree is adaptable to a wide variety of soils, which is great for those clay or sandy soils that pose problems for many other plants. It also likes moist or wet soils.

Maintenance/Pruning:

It usually forms an open shrub, but you can train it to have just one trunk and live as a small tree if desired. There usually isn't much maintenance work involved with this species besides fertilizing to promote yearly growth.

Pests & Diseases of Fringe Tree:

If you see small oval shapes on the stems of your plant, you might have scales. These insects suck the sap from the branches. Small insects called mites may also make an appearance. Horticultural oil can be used to get rid of both problems.

As for diseases, fungal leaf spots and powdery mildews might attack. Cankers may also form. Use an organic fungicide to control the spots and mildews. Prune away the parts with cankers to control the spread.