Chionanthus retusus
Chionanthus retusus
Chionanthus retusus
Chionanthus retusus
Chionanthus retusus
Chionanthus retusus
Chionanthus retusus
Chionanthus retusus
Chionanthus retusus
Chinese Fringertree
Very beautiful bush, received in perfect condition. Received snow a week after planting but has recovered well. Seems well established today.
Pascale , 16/09/2024
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Available in 3 sizes
This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty
More information
We guarantee the quality of our plants for a full growing cycle, and will replace at our expense any plant that fails to recover under normal climatic and planting conditions.
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Description
The Chionanthus retusus, the Chinese Fringetree, is a beautiful and little-known deciduous Asian bush that owes its other lovely name snow tree to the abundant white flowering that covers the plant in spring. Individually very small, finely star-shaped, they are gathered in very dense hanging panicles which bear small blue-black fruits in September. Often forming several trunks, slightly wider than tall, the Chionanthus retusus is perfect for flower hedges and beds. Very resistant to cold, it thrives in sunny, deep, humus-rich, and moist soil.
The Fringetree is a dioecious bush from the olive family, just like the lilac and the Abeliophyllum. It is native to China, Korea, and Japan where it often forms a true small tree about ten metres high. It was introduced to Europe in 1845 by the botanist Robert Fortune. It is a slow-growing bushy shrub, with a spreading habit, reaching 3 m (9 ft 10 in) in height and 4 m (13 ft 1 in) in width. It flowers quite late in spring, in May-June, on the young shoots, at the same time as its foliage appears. The small flowers, composed of 4 very delicate petals of pure white, are grouped in branching panicles. The male plants are more productive in flowering than the female ones, but their fragrance is only slightly noticeable. When accompanied by a male plant, female plants produce small bluish-black fruit in September after flowering. The deciduous foliage consists of single, elliptical to ovate leaves that are 4 to 10 cm (3.9 in) long. They have a medium green colour and turn a beautiful yellow in October.
The Chionanthus is primarily valued for its beautiful white flowers. It is best suited for large beds of deciduous shrubs in acidic soil or as a flowering hedge in non-limestone soil. Its natural appearance is perfect for wild or English-style gardens. It can be paired with buddleias, lilacs, viburnums, deciduous euonymus, country camellias, or serviceberries to create a stunning display.
Chionanthus retusus in pictures
Plant habit
Flowering
Foliage
Botanical data
Chionanthus
retusus
Oleaceae
Chinese Fringertree
East Asia
Planting and care
The Chinese Fringe Tree flourishes in areas in full sun or partial shade while protected from cold winds. It grows best in deep, fertile soil that retains moisture, is rich in humus, and is well-drained. This tree cannot tolerate limestone soil, as it may cause chlorosis. If you plan on training it as a small tree, it is recommended that you prune the lower branches. However, pruning is optional; otherwise, only a small amount should be done if needed at the end of winter.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
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In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a (East Coast and Midlands: Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Portlaoise). It will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the north-west (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal, Westport), delay planting by 1 to 2 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 1 to 2 weeks in autumn compared to the dates given, preferably choosing periods without strong winds.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (Wicklow Mountains, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Connemara, Killarney), it is best to plant in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), avoiding periods of waterlogged soil in winter and strong winds, which pose the main risk to newly planted trees in these areas.
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a, such as the East Coast and Midlands, including Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Portlaoise.
This will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the northwest (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal and Westport), it will be delayed by one to two weeks compared to the given dates, due to stronger Atlantic winds and less spring sunshine.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (the Wicklow Mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Connemara and Killarney), flowering will be delayed by two to three weeks. Flowering mainly occurs between May and July, with the limiting factors being less frost and more of the excessive humidity, strong winds and lack of sunshine that are characteristic of these areas.