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Form
A large shrub or small tree with rounded, spreading crown.
Leaves
Simple, opposite leaves have a smooth margin; 3" to 8"
long and half as wide. Light green to dark blue-green foliage is
paler beneath. The foliage is clustered towards the branch tips.
Fall Color
Yellow.
Stem/Buds/Bark
Stout stems have prominent lenticels and are gray to green or
brown. Smooth green to brown buds are 1/8" long. Bark is smooth
on young wood, becoming slightly furrowed with age.
Flowers
Loose, drooping panicles of fragrant white flowers. Flowers
are 4" – 6" in length with long, delicate petals.
Separate male and female trees (dioecious); showy.
Flowering Time
May into June as the leaves are finishing their growth.
Fruit
A blue drupe, 1/2" long, appears in August and September
and is eaten by birds. Fruit is only on female trees.
Landscape Uses
An understory tree for use as a specimen or in groupings. Its
sparse foliage gives a light, airy effect and the fruit attracts
birds. A nice alternative small spring tree to use in place of redbud
or dogwood. Very urban tolerant.
Major Landscape Features
Small specimen tree; showy, unusual, fragrant flowers; fruit
on female; fine texture.
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Hardiness Range
3 – 9
Native Habitat
Eastern U.S. * (Virginia)
Height
10 – 20 feet
Growth Rate
Slow
Spread
10 – 15 feet
Exposure
Partial shade
Culture
Fringetree grows best is moist, fertile, slightly acidic
soils kept cool with mulch or ground cover. Early morning
to midday sun and supplemental water during drought preferable.
May be difficult to transplant.
Pest Problems
Insects – Mites, scale.
Diseases – Leaf spots, powdery mildew, cankers.
Cultivars
No major cultivars.
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