Virginia Tech® home

White Fringetree, Old-man’s-beard

ID

3010-1499NP

Authors as Published

Alex X. Niemiera, Professor, School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech (first published November 2010, last reviewed November 2023)

Summary:

Foliage: About 5 inch long elliptic leaves; deciduous Height: About 12 feet tall

Spread: About 12 feet wide

Shape: Large shrub/small tree form that varies with individual; form ranges from bushy to more open to more tree-like

Main features: White fringetree is a slow-growing large shrub or small tree (depending on how and if one prunes it) with a very showy display of fleecy white flowers in late April/early May. Female plants bear pendulous clusters of dark blue fruit that are nice upon close inspection. This species is quite tough and tolerates drought as well as wet soils; will grow in full sun or part shade.

Plant Needs:

Zone: 4to9

Light: Full sun to part shade Moisture: Wet to dry

Soil type: Most soils pH range: Acid

Functions:

Fringetree is suitable as a specimen plant (due to its spectacular flower show), in borders, in mass, and any where a small deciduous tree is appropriate. Most un-pruned plants will be large shrubs; one can remove lower limbs to develop a tree form. The flower show is especially noticeable and showy when planted in front of a dark background such as dark-leaved conifers or evergreen hollies.

Care:

No special care is needed. Fringetree can be developed into a small tree form by removing lower limbs/foliage; this species will be shrub-like (multi-stem, foliage and branches to near ground level) without pruning.

Additional Information:

A few cultivars are available in the trade. These are:

‘Emerald Knight’ upright form with long dark green and glossy leaves Prodigy® rounded habit;

very floriferous

‘Spring Fleecing’ a glossy narrow leaf form; very floriferous

Chinese fringetree, Chionanthus retusus, is an attractive small tree that produces very showy fleecy flowers in late April/May. Leaves are glossy and leathery; they may be roundish or elliptic depending on origin (foliage of Northern Type is elliptic and Southern Type is roundish). This species is adaptable in zones 6 to 8.


Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, reprint, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law

Publication Date

November 6, 2023