Chionanthus virginicus produces magnificent clusters of fringe-like blooms. Slow growing to 20-25’ high and 25’ wide. A native single or multi-stem tree found from Virginia south to Florida and west to Texas, inhabiting moist woodlands. An underused ornamental!
Chionanthus retusus (Chinese) Native to China, Korea and Japan. Grows 15-20 feet tall with a wide-spreading form up to 25′ across. May be grown as a small tree multi-trunked or single trunk tree. Clusters of mildly fragrant, pure white flowers with fringe-like petals bloom in late spring to early summer. Bloom appears about 2-3 weeks before that of C. virginicus. Leaves turn yellow in fall. Exfoliating gray-brown bark is attractive in winter.