Chionanthus

( kye - oh - NAN - thus )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Fringe Tree or Old Man's Beard, this genus of deciduous multi-stemmed shrubs and trees needs full sun and moderate to regular water. The fruit produced by these slow-growing trees will attract hungry birds to the garden. Fragrant flowers appear in hanging clusters of white and are followed by small, dark, olive-like fruits. Leaves will turn yellow in fall. These trees are wonderful in woodland borders and native plant gardens, in formal or wildlife gardens, as informal hedge plants, or as specimens in the landscape. Take care when planting these shrubs in the garden, as the berries have been reported to cause vomiting, headache, and slow pulse when ingested.

Chionanthus Species and Varietals

The genus Chionanthus is a member of the plant family Oleaceae, and includes 140 species. The best growing zones for Fringe Tree vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Chionanthus albidiflorus (Linociera albidiflora) (Ambul Hora Kaha, White Fringetree)
Endemic to Sri Lanka, this species forms a tree that grows well in wet tropical biomes. It is a critically endangered species due to deforestation and habitat loss in its native range. Individual shrubs reach between 10 and 20 feet tall at maturity.

Chionanthus balgooyanus
Named for Dutch botanist Max van Balgooy, this species is native to Borneo. These trees can reach up to 70 feet tall, and produce white to greenish-white flowers. Bark is grey-green to dark brown. This species is considered endangered due to habitat loss in its native range.

Chionanthus pubescens (Pink Fringe Tree, Arupo)
These trees are sometimes cultivated as ornamental trees, valued for their pink, showy flowers. It is native to Ecuador and Peru, and is semi-deciduous in its natural environment. The species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-9. Individual plants typically reach up to 10-20 feet tall and have a rounded, multi-stemmed habit.

Chionanthus pygmaeus (Pygmy Fringetree)
This rare, endangered species is endemic to Florida, where there are just 46 specimens left. These plants typically grow as shrubs, but can also be cultivated as small trees, reaching between 12 and 17 feet tall at maturity. Pygmy Fringetrees grow well in USDA hardiness zones 5-9.

Chionanthus quadristamineus (Blue Plum, Quadristamineus Fringe Tree)
This species is native to Australia, and produces egg-shaped fruits that are dark blue and about 2-2.5 inches long. It grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-9. Flowers are white and bloom from November through May, and leaves are green and leathery. Fruits are edible, though they are usually eaten in pickled form, as with Olives (a related genus).

Chionanthus ramiflorus (Northern Olive, Native Olive, Queensland Olive)
This species is native to India, Nepal and Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines, growing well in USDA hardiness zones 10a-12b. These evergreen shrubs or trees can reach between 10 and 75 feet tall at maturity, and produce white flowers followed by blue-black drupes that measure about an inch in diameter.

Chionanthus retusus (Chinese Fringe Tree, Chinese Fringetree)
This deciduous species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 3-9 and 14-24, and is native to China and Taiwan. It reaches around 20 feet tall but can be trained as smaller specimens. Flowers are pure white and open in late spring to early summer. Bark is greyish brown and provides some winter interest.

Chionanthus virginicus (Fringe Tree, White Fringetree, American Fringetree, Grancy Greybeard, Old Man's Beard, Virginian Snow Flower)
This species is native to the southeastern United States and grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 or Sunset growing zones 2-6 and 15-24. Leaves and flower clusters are large. Blooms are greenish-white and slightly fragrant. Can be a shrubby, open plant or trained as a small specimen tree. Can tolerate air pollution well; makes a good urban ornamental. Bark is scaly and reddish-brown. Mature trees reach up to 12-20 feet tall and just as wide.

Caring for Chionanthus

Take care when planting these shrubs in the garden, as the berries have been reported to cause vomiting, headache, and slow pulse when ingested. These trees and shrubs are happiest when planted in full sun to partial shade. Choose a spot in the yard that receives at least 4-6 hours of direct sun each day for optimal flowering. Ensure that soil is well-draining before installing. They prefer loamy soils, but can really survive in any substrate (even salty and acidic ones) as long as they are well-draining. If soil is overly clayey or heavy and does not drain well, amend the planting area with a generous amount of organic material before planting. Ideal soil pH for Chionanthus plants is slightly acidic to neutral (in the range of 6.0 - 7.0). Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the tree after installing to suppress weed growth, maintain soil moisture, and regulate soil temperature around the root zone. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during the first few years of growth. Once established, Fringe Trees are somewhat drought tolerant, though they definitely appreciate extra irrigation during the warmer, drier months of the year. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch.

Apply a layer of compost yearly around the base of the tree in springtime to promote healthy growth and flowering. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Minimal pruning is needed for these trees and shrubs; simply remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late wintertime or early springtime to maintain a healthy shape. If necessary, a light shaping can also be done; avoid heavy prunings with these plants, as it can reduce flower production the following year. Chionanthus blooms on old wood, or the previous season's growth, meaning that the flower buds for the next season will form in the summer of the previous year on stems that are at least one year old. Ensure that young plants are sufficiently protected from strong, drying winds, as these conditions can cause serious damage and affect overall growth. Chionanthus shrubs are considered long-lived perennials, able to persist in the landscape for between 30 and 50 years or more before needing to be replaced.

Propagation

Chionanthus is best propagated from seed; cuttings are notoriously difficult to get to root. To propagate your Chionanthus tree or shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Chionanthus by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The fruits on female Chionanthus trees are mature when they have turned dark purple and before birds and other animals have started to remove them. In most areas, this occurs between August and October. Remove the fruit from the tree, and remove the seeds from the fruits. After seeds are harvested, they can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 2 years.
Expose seeds to a warm (about 68 degrees Fahrenheit), moist environment for between 2 and 3 months. This can be achieved by placing the seeds in a moistened bag of sand and placing that bag on top of the refrigerator or on top of a heating pad.
Chionanthus seeds possess a double dormancy, and seeds will now need to be cold-stratified. To do so, place the bag in a cool (about 41 degrees Fahrenheit) area like a refrigerator for an additional 2-3 months.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Alternatively, seeds can also be sown directly outdoors after their warm and cold stratifications. Place seeds a half inch under the soil surface and lightly cover with soil. Young seedlings should sprout in the second spring.