The Chinese Fringetree typically starts flowering in April.
Chinese Fringetree
Chionanthus retusus
Also Known As - Fringe TreeThe Chinese fringetree (Chionanthus retusus) is a stunning ornamental tree that adds beauty to any garden or landscape. It features glossy, dark green foliage that turns shades of yellow and orange in the fall. Its pretty, fragrant white blooms in the late spring attract many pollinators, and its delicate gray-brown fruit attractive birds and wildlife. It makes an attractive shade tree, largely pest-free and tolerates pollution. An overall hardy tree, it can be grown in a wide range of climates with minimal maintenance required. The Chinese fringetree is an amazing addition to any outdoor space.
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Air Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
6
Flowers:
White Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Fruits:
blue,black Fruits Ready In Fall
Edible:
Yes
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Chinese Fringetrees should be watered once every 1 to 2 weeks during the growing season. In dryer areas, it may be necessary to increase the frequency. During hot summer months, the trees should be watered more frequently. A good way to check if it needs to be watered is to do a finger test. Stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil and if it feels dry, it may need to be watered. Be sure to water deeply and slowly so that the water can penetrate the root system. Over-watering should be avoided as this can cause root rot and other problems. For established trees, about 2 inches of rain per week is optimal.
sunlight
Chinese Fringetree (Chionanthus retusus) does best in full sun, meaning it should receive at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. In addition, the tree will benefit from some dappled or partial shade during the fiercest sunlight. Additionally, Chinese Fringetree should not be planted on North-facing sides of buildings and other structures where the tree will not receive ample amounts of direct sunlight.
pruning
Chinese Fringetree should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Pruning in this time allows for maximum bud formation and reduces stress on the tree. When pruning, only removal of dead, diseased or crossing branches is recommended. Thinning can be done to improve air flow/circulation and light penetration, but should be done judiciously. You should prune no more than 25% of transitional and/or current year’s growth as excessive thinning may weaken the structure of the tree. Be sure to sterilize tools between cuts to avoid introducing diseases or pests.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
Harvest Fruit
The Chinese Fringetree typically blooms in late spring and early summer, so the months to start harvesting the fruits would be June, July, and August.
