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Fringe Tree

Tagged as: Plants Tolerant of Wet Sites, Plants for Shady Sites, Black walnut toxicity tolerant, Large Deciduous Shrubs

Botanical Name: Chionanthus virginicus
Common Name: Fringe Tree

Updated 3/2012


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Chionanthus virginicus at The Morton Arboretum Chionanthus virginicus flower
form flower
Chionanthus virginicus fruit
fruit



Height: 12-20' Spread: 10-20' Habit/Form: Oval to wide spreading shrub or small tree Growth Rate: Slow Zone: 4-9
Cultural Requirements: Sun to part shade. Prefers moist, slightly acid, well-drained soil. A good city tree, tolerant of wind, salt, and air pollution.
Ornamental Characteristics: Often grown as a multi-stemmed shrub. Bark is a light gray-brown and slightly ridged. Medium to dark green leaves are late to emerge in spring. Outstanding fragrant, strap-like, 4-petaled, white flowers are borne in 6-8-inch long fleecy panicles that open on the previous year's wood during late May to early June. Both male and female plants produce flowers. Only female plants bear ½-inch long, bluish fruit, which ripens in September.
Uses in the Landscape: A very attractive specimen plant. Excellent in groups, borders, or near large buildings. Makes a great woodland or understory plant in naturalized areas.

Plant tolerant of occasional or temporary flooding

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