Old Man's Beard Chionanthus virginicus
Other 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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Chionanthus virginicus, commonly called fringetree, is a deciduous, a native shrub or small tree with a spreading, rounded habit that most often occurs in rich, moist woods and hillsides, moist stream banks, limestone glade margins and rocky bluffs and ledges. It's common name refers to the slightly fragrant, spring-blooming flowers which feature airy, terminal, drooping clusters (4-6" long) of fringe-like, creamy white petals.
Fringetrees are rarely available labeled as male or female, so unless they are purchased in bloom or with fruit present, it is impossible to know which one you are getting. Fortunately, both are beautiful. They are best transplanted when young.
Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: This plant has some susceptibility to scale and borers (particularly when grown in dry locations).
- 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
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- USA
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Its fruits are eaten by songbirds and small mammals. This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edible fruit
- 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. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 12 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- 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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- 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
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Drupe
- Fruit Description:
- Fertilized perfect or female flowers give way to clusters of olive-like fruits which ripen to a dark, bluish black in late summer and are a food source for birds and wildlife.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- The Fringetree has dioecious (separate male and female plants), but also may have perfect flowers on each plant. These are delicately fragrant flowers produced on previous years growth; ivory to white clusters 6 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.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The fringetree has wide, spear-shaped leaves (to 8" long) that turn yellow in autumn. The 3-8 in. opposite, simple leaves 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:
- Recreational Play Area
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Fire
- Pollution
- Urban Conditions
- Chionanthus virginicus is often confused with:
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Syringa vulgaris
- Plants that fill a similar niche:
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Crataegus phaenopyrum
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Acer rubrum
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Oxydendrum arboreum
