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Chionanthus retusus

Chionanthus retusus

Chinese fringetree, Asiatic Fringe Trees

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Description

Chionanthus retusus (Chinese fringe tree, Asiatic fringe tree) comes from the forests of a broad swathe of Eastern and Central China, Korea and Japan, growing alongside, amongst others, Tetradium danielii and Sorbus alnifolia. In 1845, Russian botanist Nikolaus von Hartwiss distributed this tree to Europe from the Botanic Garden in the Crimea. The Chinese fringe tree develops more readily into a tree than the American Chionanthus retusus. The species grows as a multi-stem in the wild but in cultivation is also available as a small standard (on its own roots or grafted on Fraxinus ornus). Chionanthus retusus grows into a broadly vase-shaped tree, approximately six metres tall and wide.

During flowering from the end of May to the middle of June, Chionanthus retusus is completely covered in white, erect, sweetly-scented panicles. After flowering, green then bluey-purple-coloured fruits appear which stay on the tree for a long time. The smooth-edged leaf of the Chinese fringe tree emerges earlier than that of its American counterpart, is bright green and has a hairy, lighter underside. In warmer late summer conditions and climates, the bright green foliage can stay on the tree until December; in colder climates, it changes to yellow before dropping. The decorative peeling brown bark has larger platelets, corky fissures and grooves as it matures. 

Chionanthus retusus occurs naturally on moist, acid and nutrient-rich ground but can in fact also withstand dryer and poorer soils. The species is not affected by diseases and pests and prefers a position in full sun although partial shade is also tolerated. Park-like sites and gardens are most suited to the Chinese fringe tree and it is, therefore, stunning as a multi-stem or standard. In this latter form the tree also makes a great selection in broad central reservations. Chionanthus retusus is a real eye-catcher in full bloom and deserves to be planted more widely.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees feathered trees multi-stemmed trees characteristic trees solitary shrubs

Topiary on stem

fval multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

park central reservation in containers large garden small garden patio cemetery traffic areas, industrial zones

Pavement

none none

Characteristics

Crown shape

wide vase-shaped wide vase-shaped

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

4 - 6 m

Width

4 - 6 m

Winter hardiness zone

6A - 10A

Aspects

Wind

slightly tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay peaty light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

moist wet

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral

Host plant/forage plant

bees butterflies birds

Extreme environments

tolerant to dryness

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Visit our nurseries with multi-stem trees, climbing trees, trees for avenues and parks characteristic trees and solitary shrubs.

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Chionanthus retusus? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Chionanthus retusus standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Chionanthus retusus standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Chionanthus retusus standard tree
multi-stem multi-stem
Chionanthus retusus multi-stem
shrub solitary shrubs
Chionanthus retusus solitary shrubs
multi-stem multi-stem
Chionanthus retusus multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Chionanthus retusus multi-stem
shrub solitary shrubs
Chionanthus retusus solitary shrubs
flowers flowers
Chionanthus retusus flowers
flowers flowers
Chionanthus retusus flowers
flowers flowers
Chionanthus retusus flowers
flowers flowers
Chionanthus retusus flowers
leaves leaves
Chionanthus retusus leaves
leaves leaves
Chionanthus retusus leaves
leaves leaves
Chionanthus retusus leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Chionanthus retusus autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Chionanthus retusus autumn leaves
fruits fruits
Chionanthus retusus fruits
fruits fruits
Chionanthus retusus fruits
fruits fruits
Chionanthus retusus fruits
fruits fruits
Chionanthus retusus fruits
bark bark
Chionanthus retusus bark
bark bark
Chionanthus retusus bark
bark bark
Chionanthus retusus bark

Flowers

Flowers

panicle striking standing scented

Flower colour

white

Flowering period

May - June

Leaves

Leaf colour

bright green underside pale green

Leaves

deciduous ovate ovoid leathery polished underside hairy

Autumn colour

yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

blue-violet

Fruits

small raceme drupe

Bark

Bark colour

grey-brown

Bark

peeling corky

Twigs

Twig colour

dark brown

Twigs

hairy with lenticels finely branched

Root system

Root system

shallow slightly branched highly branched fine roots

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Geographic location
Winter hardiness zone
OK
Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
-
m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
OK
Bark colour
OK
Special features
OK
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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E info@ebben.nl

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