Chinese fringe tree (Chionanthus retusus) is a small deciduous tree or large shrub native to China, Korea and Japan. Do not confuse fringe tree with Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense) or our own native fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) which grows very shrub-like, and is fragrant.
Lustrous, dark green, oval-shaped leaves emerge one to two weeks before flowering begins. In early May, the tree is totally covered with 3- to 4-inch wide panicles of white, fleecy flowers. The billowy clusters appear on the ends of branches and cover most leaves. The scent from the sweetly fragrant flowers permeates the garden in the early evening. Spring and summer foliage has a thick, leathery feel. In autumn, leaves turn pale yellow before dropping in mid to late November.
Small, half-inch long, dark blue drupe fruits ripen on female plants in September. Disease and insect problems are few.
Common Name: Chinese fringe tree
Botanical name: Chionanthus retusus
Varieties/cultivars: ‘China Snow’ (a Don Shadow selection); ‘Tokyo Tower’ (columnar form)
Color: Clear, white, fragrant flowers in April and May
Type: Small flowering tree
Size: 20 to 30 feet tall and 20 to 25 feet wide
Exposure: Full to partial sunlight (six hours minimum sunlight)
When to Plant: Balled and burlapped (B&B) in winter through early spring; container-grown anytime
Soil: Any well-drained soil type; best in a slightly acidic soil
Watering: Good heat and moderate drought tolerance once established in two years.
When to Prune: Minimal pruning to remove root suckers (if any); prune in almost any season.
When to Fertilize: Feed a young tree in late winter with 10-10-10 or equivalent fertilizer.
In Your Landscape: An outstanding white, flowering, small tree; perhaps a substitute for lilacs, which perform poorly in Southern landscapes.
(From Tennessee Gardener Volume XII Issue IV.)