Chionanthus virginicus
white fringe tree
Oleaceae
Plant Specifics
Form:
tree
Size:
10-20 (30) ft tall by 8-15 (20) ft wide
Life Span:
long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
white
Fruit Color:
blue-black
Phenology:
Deciduous. Flowers and leaves emerge late in the spring and leaves fall early in the fall. Fruits ripe by fall.. Lifespan >50 yrs (Nelson).
Noted For:
Showy Flowers, Aroma/Showy Fruitsagrance, Interesting Foliage
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Specimen tree where a small drought-tolerant tree is desired.
Considerations:
Flowers and leaves emerge late in the spring and leaves fall early in the fall. When not blooming, it's not outstanding.
Light:
Full Sun, Part Sun
Moisture Tolerance:
Usually moist, occasional inundation ---- to ---- Short very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Unknown
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil or Other Substrate:
Sand, Loam
Suitable to Grow In:
8A,8B,9A,9B
Ecology
Wildlife:
Pollinators, Caterpillars, Birds, Mammals
Larval host for rustic sphinx ( Manduca rustica ), waved sphinx ( Ceratomia undulosa ), and laurel sphinx ( Sphinx kalmiae ).
Fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals.
Native Habitats:
moist hammocks, but adaptable to many situations.
