In the generosity of spring, the delicate white flowers of fringetrees are unique and command admiration even among the most colorful garden planting. White or American fringetree is one of our most attractive native plants. Although largely neglected for many years, it is again becoming popular and many other natives.
As the scientific name has, there are just two species of fringe-tree or snow-floweró Chionanthus. as the scientific name has it. One is native to the eastern United States, and the other grows wild in China. The latter is a relatively rare subject, though a few nurseries carry it, and there are fine specimens in some parks and botanic gardens.
Chinese Fringetree
The Chinese fringetree is usually considered less beautiful than the American species, though its bloom comes three or four weeks later. It is desirable for this reason – alone.
This genus of just two species in the plant worldóone in eastern America and the other in Chinaóis is one of the convincing links, along with tulip trees, magnolias, witch-hazels, sweet-gums, and a few others, in the close relationship between the woody plants of China and Japan and our eastern states.
American Fringetree
American fringetree is Chionanthus virginicus, but its natural range extends far beyond the state of Virginia. The Swedish botanist Linnaeus used “virginicus” in the general sense, which is best interpreted as using “americanus” instead.
From Chester County in Pennsylvania and the low sandy banks of the Maurice River in southern New Jersey, Chionanthus grows wild over a wide range stretching southward through the coastal states to Florida and then making an arc westward to Texas.
The common name implies tree-like stature. In the wild, trees surpassing 20′ feet are relatively common. For gardens, however, and particularly if one wishes to have the snowy flowers in reach for a close examination, it is easy enough and usually desirable to encourage a plant to make three or five small trunks and develop a low crown of branches.
Treated in this way, plants grow 12’ or 15’ feet high and about the same in a spread. The peak of small branches is usually well above the ground, permitting an under-planting with azaleas, mountain laurels, and other favorites that prefer some shade.