Chionanthus virginicus
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Chionanthus angustifolius
- Ligustrum cotinifolium
- Phonetic Spelling
- kee-oh-NAN-thus ver-JIN-ih-kus
- Description
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Fringetree is a small, deciduous tree in the olive family (Oleaceae). It is native to the eastern U.S. Its genus name comes from the Greek chion meaning “snow” and anthos meaning “flower.” The species epithet is Latin for “of Virginia.”
This plant grows best in full to part sun with the best foliage in partial shade and the best flowering in full sun. Plant in average to rich, well-drained neutral to alkaline soil. It can tolerate clay soil, however, and also tolerates some drought. Small plants are best transplanted when young because larger plants resent disturbance at their roots.
Fringetree generally grows from 12 to 20 feet tall and wide, with a multi-stemmed rounded habit, though it can be trained into a single trunk. Fringetree grows about 6 to 10 inches each year. In late spring, fragrant flower clusters with creamy white fringe-like petals appear. The showy blue-black fruits, maturing in late summer, provide a food source for birds and wildlife. A clear yellow color appears to provide some brightness to the fall landscape, and the bark, with its scaly dark brown ridges and red furrows, brings winter interest. In the nursery, it may be difficult to determine if the plants are male or female unless they have fruits present. The flowers have both male and female parts but are functionally unisexual. The system often breaks down causing a few fruits to form on functionally male trees. While the male flowers are slightly larger and showier, both male and female plants make beautiful additions to any garden.
Fringetree is a nice specimen plant in lawns and also works well as a flowering tree in a native garden. Plant it in small groups along a woodland border or take advantage of the sweetly scented blooms in a children's or sensory garden
Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common fringetree diseases and insect pests.
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: This plant has some susceptibility to scale and borers (particularly when stressed by drought). It is sometimes attacked by the emerald ash borer.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Native Woodland Garden, Durham Davidson County Extension Demonstration Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Chionanthus
- Species:
- virginicus
- Family:
- Oleaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native Americans used this plant for disinfectant and dermatological aid.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central & Eastern U.S.A
- Distribution:
- Throughout East, South East (Texas to NY and Massachusetts).
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are eaten by songbirds and small mammals.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Fragrance
- Shade
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Resistant to fire and moderately resistant to damage from deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 12 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-stemmed
- Open
- Oval
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fertilized perfect or female flowers give way to clusters of olive-like fruits which ripen to a dark, bluish black from July to September and are a food source for birds and wildlife.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Dioecious (separate male and female plants), but also may have perfect flowers on each plant. These are delicately fragrant paniculate flowers produced on previous years growth; ivory to white clusters 4 to 8 in. long. The male flowers are showier than female flowers due to longer petals, however, both male and female trees are striking in bloom. Flowers bloom from April to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Obovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The fringetree has wide, spear-shaped leaves (to 8" long) that turn yellow in autumn. The 3-to-8-inch long, opposite, simple leaves, glabrous above and pubescent underside, are not especially showy.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark is scaly with dark brown ridges and red furrows.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Recreational Play Area
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Mass Planting
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Fire
- Pollution
- Urban Conditions