Sweetheart Tree 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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Fringetree is a deciduous tree that grows up to 30 feet tall, but smaller through most of its range. The leaves are opposite with a smooth margin. The bark is scaly with dark brown ridges and red furrows. In late spring, fragrant, white flower clusters 2 to 3 inches long mature hanging from 4 to 8-inch stalks. The small tree produces a 3/4-inch, dark blue drupe that matures in late summer.
This plant grows best in full to part sun and average, well-drained soil. It tolerates some drought. Does not grow well on acid soils.
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). It is sometimes attacked by the Emerald Ash Borer.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Davidson County Demo Garden Michael McCarthy Memorial Garden, All Saints Episcopal, Concord
- 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
- 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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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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:
- 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 paniculate flowers produced on previous years growth; ivory to white clusters 2 to 3 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:
- 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, 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:
- Recreational Play Area
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Fire
- Pollution
- Urban Conditions
