Mississippi Native: Fringe Tree
(Chionanthus virginicus)
Downloadable Brochure: FRINGE TREE
Other Name/s:
White Fringe Tree, Old Man’s Beard, & Grancy Graybeard
Description:
This spreading plant can have multiple trunks, which are pale grey with white bands. Leaves, which are oval-shaped, are yellowish green to dark green in color. These leaves turn completely yellow in the fall. Flowers are a creamy white color (or greenish white color) and suspend in panicles from the branches with female plants having dark blue to purple clustered fruit.
Season:
Flowers bloom in the spring (May), and fruit forms in the summer, ripening at the end of summer into the fall.
Size:
The fringe tree reaches heights of 12 – 20 feet and can grow as wide as 12 feet. Clusters of flowers are 4 – 6 inches long with individual flowers 1 inch long. Leaves are 4 – 8 inches long.
Habitat:
This Mississippi native is usually found in areas such as stream banks and moist woods.
Planting Tips/Interesting Facts:
This plant needs moist (well-drained) soil and needs to be planted in full sun to part shade.
Flowers are fragrant and fruit attracts birds.
