Chinese Fringetree

Chinese fringetree (Chionanthus retusus, Oleaceae) is a deciduous shrub or small tree from China, Korea, and Japan, reaching 15 to 25 feet tall. White, fragrant flowers appear in terminal clusters in late spring, followed by blue ellipsoid fruit about 1.25 centimeters long. Glossy dark green leaves and a potentially multi-stemmed form add ornamental interest across seasons.

Chinese fringetree grows in full sun or partial shade (full sun for most profuse flowering) on well-drained soils, tolerating alkaline conditions, hardy in Zones 5a to 8b. It attracts birds and is suited to rain garden applications. No significant pest or disease issues are documented. The cultivar 'Arnold' is in the trade.

Chinese fringetree is the Asian counterpart to white fringetree and it performs well in the Puget Sound lowlands for similar reasons: late bloom avoids frost, slow growth suits small lots, and the tree tolerates urban air pollution. It is slightly less cold-hardy than the American species (Zone 5a vs 4a) but that is irrelevant in our Zone 8b climate. The flowers emerge in May-June on new growth and are showier than C. virginicus. One oddity: the tree tends toward alternate-year flowering, so a spectacular bloom one year followed by a modest one is normal, not a sign of problems. Prefers deep, moist, acidic soil, which we naturally provide. Female plants produce blue fruit for birds. For a refined small specimen tree with virtually no disease problems, Chinese fringetree is one of the smartest choices available.

— Chris Welch, ISA Certified Arborist