+
+
Chionanthus virginicus

Chionanthus virginicus

Fringe tree, American fringe tree, Old-man's-beard

Download PDF

Description

Chionanthus virginicus (Fringe tree, American fringe tree, Old man's beard) occurs in the wild growing alongside creeks and lakes in the Eastern United States although the tree is also found in rockier landscapes. Owing to its large range the species occurs in many different forest sites, impressively and to great effect in combination with Liriodendron tulipifera, Fraxinus americana and Acer rubrum. Juvenile specimens have a multi-stem and vase-shaped crown, later becoming flattened spherical in maturity. Most trees are wider than tall and ultimately attain a size of five metres tall and wide. The name Chionanthus, from the Greek chion (snow) and anthus (flower), was invented by the Swedish physician and botanist Linnaeus.

Even before the foliage has fully developed, Chionanthus virginicus blooms profusely, appearing like a downy mass of brilliant white flowers with specks of bright green emerging buds. From a distance the tree in bloom looks like a single white cloud befitting its name. The flowers can be discerned from afar by their delightful scent which is also hugely appealing to bees and butterflies. After flowering, green fruits are produced which later change colour to purple-blue to almost black. Bright green new foliage appears late on the tree and summer foliage is dark green, leathery and glossy and changes to yellow in autumn. The bark and twigs of Chionanthus virginicus are greyish brown and smooth and covered in distinct lenticels.

Although the tree occurs naturally on moist, slightly acid and nutrient-rich soils, Chionanthus virginicus will also fare well on inferior soils. It has no diseases or pests and makes a nice addition to small and large gardens in any season. But also in sunny spots in parks and central reservations the American fringe tree should certainly be used more and it is a real eye-catcher as a single specimen. The species is occasionally grafted on Fraxinus ornus, which produces a small standard.  

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees characteristic trees solitary shrubs

Topiary on stem

fval multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

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

Pavement

none none

Characteristics

Crown shape

flattened spherical flattened spherical

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

3 - 5 m

Width

3 - 5 m

Winter hardiness zone

5A - 9A

Aspects

Wind

slightly tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

moist

Light requirements

sun

pH range

acidic neutral

Host plant/forage plant

bees butterflies

Get to know Ebben Nurseries

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

Make an appointment

Place order or further information?

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

Photos

Magnify
multi-stem multi-stem
Chionanthus virginicus multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Chionanthus virginicus multi-stem
characteristic characteristic
Chionanthus virginicus characteristic
characteristic characteristic
Chionanthus virginicus characteristic
characteristic characteristic
Chionanthus virginicus characteristic
flowers flowers
Chionanthus virginicus flowers
flowers flowers
Chionanthus virginicus flowers
flowers flowers
Chionanthus virginicus flowers
flowers flowers
Chionanthus virginicus flowers
flowers flowers
Chionanthus virginicus flowers
flowers flowers
Chionanthus virginicus flowers
flowers flowers
Chionanthus virginicus flowers
flowers flowers
Chionanthus virginicus flowers
flowers flowers
Chionanthus virginicus flowers
flowers flowers
Chionanthus virginicus flowers
leaves leaves
Chionanthus virginicus leaves
leaves leaves
Chionanthus virginicus leaves
leaves leaves
Chionanthus virginicus leaves
leaves leaves
Chionanthus virginicus leaves
leaves leaves
Chionanthus virginicus leaves
leaves leaves
Chionanthus virginicus leaves
leaves leaves
Chionanthus virginicus leaves
leaves leaves
Chionanthus virginicus leaves
leaves leaves
Chionanthus virginicus leaves
fruits fruits
Chionanthus virginicus fruits
fruits fruits
Chionanthus virginicus fruits
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Chionanthus virginicus autumn leaves
bark bark
Chionanthus virginicus bark
twigs twigs
Chionanthus virginicus twigs
twigs twigs
Chionanthus virginicus twigs

Flowers

Flowers

panicle corymbose striking pendulous strongly scented

Flower colour

white

Flowering period

May - June

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green underside pale green

Leaves

deciduous ovate ovoid thick leathery polished slightly hairy

Autumn colour

yellow-brown

Fruits

Fruit colour

blue-black green

Fruits

striking small raceme drupe

Bark

Bark colour

grey-brown

Bark

smooth, later on rough

Twigs

Twig colour

grey-brown

Twigs

bare with lenticels finely branched

Root system

Root system

shallow slightly branched highly branched fine roots on own root

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

Contact
Show filters Hide filters
Show comparison
View mood board
×
TreeEbb

TreeEbb

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
Search
English
View mood board
Show comparison
Your selection:
Sluiten

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
Planet Proof
MVO-Nederland
ISO-9001
ISO-14001
CO²-presentatieladder
Boomfeestdag
British Asssociation of Landscape Industries

FIND OUT MORE

CONTACT

T +31 (0)485 31 20 21
F +31 (0)485 31 38 88
E info@ebben.nl

STEP INTO OUR GREEN WORLD!

Visit our 550-hectare nurseries and see our 1,400-m² roof garden.
Make an appointment

STAY UP TO DATE

Sign up for our newsletter
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SUBSCRIBING
© 2025  •  Boomkwekerij Ebben B.V.  •  Disclaimer  •  Privacy and cookie statement  •  Terms and conditions  •  Purchase conditions
STAY UP TO DATE
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SUBSCRIBING
×
Cookie settings

We use cookies when offering electronic services. A cookie is a small, simple file that is sent with the pages of this website and stored on the hard disk of your computer by your browser. This allows us to combine various requests for pages on the website and analyse users’ behaviour, for example. You can indicate which cookies you wish to accept using the settings below. Bear in mind that not accepting cookies will mean that part of the functionality of this website may not be available. You can find more information about the use of data and the various cookies in our privacy and cookie declaration.