Chionanthus virginicus

RHS Plant Profile
fringe tree

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fringe tree RHS

Other common names

North American fringe tree, old man's beard, poison ash, Virginian snow flower

Shrubs
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A deciduous shrub with an abundance of slightly fragrant, airy, creamy- white flowers in June and July; dark blue-black berries may follow in autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Oleaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Chionanthus are small deciduous trees or large srhubs, with simple leaves in pairs, and loose terminal panicles of whtie flowers with 4 narrow petals, sometimes followed by blue-black berries
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
E North America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any fertile, slightly acidic, well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed in a cold frame in autumn. May take up to 18 months to germinate

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Wall side borders
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1; remove lower branches to encourage a tree-like habit

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free