Chionanthus virginicus

Grancy Graybeard / White Fringetree

A carefree native, this small tree puts on a heck of a show in late spring with thousands of pendulous, delicately fragrant white flowers covering the tree before the leaves emerge. At the end of bloom season, the green leaf tips accent the snowy blooms for an impressive finale. It's no wonder the Fringetree has been a garden favorite and heritage plant for generations!

The Grancy Graybeard is dioecious, meaning that there are male and female trees. The males are typically showier in bloom due to their longer petals, however, it is the female plants that are bedecked with dark blue fruit in late summer. Birds relish the fleshy fruit and will find it easily, even though the foliage sometimes hides it from view. The best way enjoy the graybeard is to have at least one of each, and to be certain you get a male and female, purchase them in late summer or early fall when fruit will be present on the female plants.

Chionanthus virginicus is an wonderful specimen tree for residential and commercial landscapes. It can also be used in groups of three or more if adequate space is available, and it works well in a border with evergreen shrubs like azaleas. It is right at home in natural settings, surrounded by meadow or as part of a mixed grove. Better flowering occurs where the Graybeard can get a lot of sun, but it is still lovely in a slightly shadey spot, having a more open habit. It prefers well-drained, sandy loam soil of medium fertility, but is tolerant of a wide variety of soils, including red clay.

Unfortunately, the Grancy Graybeard is not a tree that is often seen in the marketplace because it is seed propagated and rather slow-growing in its early years. That's a shame because it is a beautiful tree and an enduring landscape plant.

Benefits

	Easy to grow
	A small graceful tree
	Delightful fragrance
	Fruit attracts birds
	Flowers attract butterflies

Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips

Fringetree is easily grown in average to medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. It prefers moist, fertile soils, but tolerates a wide variety, including the red clay of the south. Chionanthus virginicus seldom needs pruning, but benefits from some branch thinning if an open habit is desired. Tolerant of air pollution, it adapts well to urban settings.

Height 12-18 Feet

Spread 12-20 Feet

Native Range Chionanthus is found in rich, moist woods and hillsides, moist stream banks, limestone glade margins and rocky bluffs and ledges Distribution Maps by State and County

Native Trivia Chionanthus is Greek, meaning Snow Flower.

USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9

"My friends feast on the tasty fruit of the Fringetree, and in Spring, the ample nectar provides food for butterflies!"

Characteristics & Attributes

Plan Sub Group • Deciduous Trees	Exposure • Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade • Sun • Filtered Shade	Soil • Humus-rich • Acidic • Well-drained • Heavy clay • Wide soil tolerance	Soil Moisture Preference • Moist • Moist but well-drained • Average
Attracts Wildlife • Beneficial insects • Songbirds	Bloom Time • Late Spring / Early Summer	Habitat Collection • Songbird	Native Habitat • Grassland • Riparian, wetland • Forest
Foliage Color • Dark Green	Uses • Specimen • Fragrant • Mass plant • Accent