Mertensia virginica en masse. — Mertensia virginica en masse. Photo © Mary Free

Chionanthus virginicus (White Fringetree, Old Man’s Beard)

Chionanthus virginicus flower buds

Chionanthus virginicus flowers and leaves in April

Chionanthus virginicus flowers in April

Chionanthus virginicus in residential landscape

Chionanthus virginicus flowering tree in April

Chionanthus virginicus as a street tree

Chionanthus virginicus lenticeled bark and immature fruit in July

Drupes of Chionanthus virginicus

Chionanthus virginicus leaves in October

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Tree Chionanthus virginicus, White Fringetree, Old Man's Beard Height: 20–35 feet Spread: 20–35 feet Bloom Color: Creamy White Characteristics Slow-growing, deciduous small tree/large shrub; usually multi-stemmed Dioecious: separate male and female plants; plant sex may not be known for purchased plants New leaves emerge late spring, often with flowers White, fragrant, flower clusters from mid-May to early June; male blossoms are bigger in size Bluish-black drupes on female plants in late summer; male plant needed nearby for fruit to set Fall foliage ranges from an attractive yellow to more mundane yellow-green or yellow-brown Attributes Tolerates clay soil, air pollution; dislikes drought No serious pests or diseases; deer occasionally-to- frequently severely damage (may need protection) Therapeutic uses Attracts bees to flowers; birds and mammals to fruit; larval host to several Sphinx moths Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Average, well-drained Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade, Shade Water Requirements: Moist Seldom needs pruning Use as specimen, in groups or woodland gardens Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9 Excellent Replacement for Ailanthus altissima - Tree of Heaven Albizia julibrissin - Mimosa / Silk Tree Eleagnus angustifolia - Russian Olive Koelreuteria paniculata - Golden Raintree Melia azedarach - Chinaberry Tree Pyrus calleryana - Bradford Pear

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Chionanthus virginicus ([White] Fringetree, Old Man’s Beard)

An appealing addition to the landscape, this native is rare in Pennsylvania and historical in Delaware’s Piedmont, but frequent to common elsewhere in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The Virginia Native Plant Society named White Fringetree as Wildflower of the Year in 1997. Be aware though, it also appeals to deer!

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants:
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets

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