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White Fringe Tree

Chionanthus virginicus

Regular price $5495
  • Out of stock
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Delivery and Shipping

Shipping

To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.

 

Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.

*If you have found your zone already, it will be highlighted in the table below.

Standard Shipping Rates

At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.

From To S&H
$0 $19.99 $24.99
$20 $49.99 $29.99
$50 $69.99 $34.99
$70 $99.99 $39.99
$100 $129.99 $44.99
$130 $149.99 $48.99
$150 $150+ Approx 28%

Click here to see our full rates

Plant Highlights

White Fringe Tree highlights at a glance!

Specifications

  • Brand
    Nature Hills' Choice
  • Botanical Name
    Chionanthus virginicus
  • Growing Zones
    4-9
  • Mature Height
    15 - 20 feet
  • Mature Spread
    10 - 15 feet
  • Sun Exposure
    Full Sun, Full Shade, Partial Shade
  • Moisture
    Moderate
  • Soil
    Widely Adaptable
  • Growth Rate
    Slow
  • Flower Color
    White
  • Fall Color
    Yellow
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Pollinator Required
    No
  • Fragrant
    Yes
  • Pruning Time
    After Flowering
  • Bloom Period
    Late Spring
  • Harvest Time
    Mid Season

Showy, Pretty Native White Fringe Tree

  • Gorgeous Native Tree
  • Unusual Spring Flowers
  • Showy, Smaller Ornamental Tree
  • Fragrant Flowers
  • Berries on Female Plants
  • Berries Have Culinary Uses
  • White Flowers On Male & Female Plants
  • Urban Environment Tolerant
  • Full Sun, Part Shade & Full Shade
  • Wildlife Love Them

At Nature Hills, we aren't sure why this gorgeous native tree isn't better known. White Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus, var. maritimus) is a knock-out ornamental in an early spring garden. Fragrant white flowers featuring exquisite, fine-textured ribbon-like petals simply cover this small tree.

It might look delicate, but trust us, this native tree is adaptable over a wide range of growing hardiness zones. This is a great, non-fussy tree. They'll even tolerate air pollution, and so make a good urban tree.

Be patient with it, as it's often the last tree to leaf out in the spring. Trust us, it's worth the wait because when it does leaf out, it simultaneously covers itself with these unusual white spring blooms.

They give the whole tree an appearance of being laced with elaborate white fringe, which is where it gets its name. You might hear some other common names, such as "Grancy Graybeard" or "Man Beard" tree.

This tree is actually related to the Olive family. The White Fringe Tree comes in both male and female plants. The pleasantly-fragrant flowers give over to clusters of small, olive-like fruits which are less than an inch long. They'll ripen to a dark navy blue in late summer. Only the female flowers produce fruit drupes.

The ripening fruit is an event eagerly anticipated by local birds and wildlife. You might want to set a reminder to watch for them to develop. If you don't, they'll be eaten that quickly and you'll miss the show.

Even the long, medium to dark green ovoid leaves are pretty. Because it's a deciduous tree, it will drop the wide, spear-shaped leaves in late autumn, but not until they've turned a golden-yellow. This tree makes an impact in your yard.

Order this beautiful native tree today!

How to Use White Fringe Tree in the Landscape

White Fringe Tree has a soft, sweet, open branching structure. You'll want to give this tree a special spot in the landscape.

Plant it in small groups of three or four along a woodland border. They can be placed along a driveway, or near a pond.

These can also be spectacular used as a backdrop to a shrub border. If you allow their lower branches to grow, they'll make great screening plants by early summer.

They'll work under utility wires and are also great for use as a specimen in a lawn.

#ProPlantTips for Care

Plant in full sun for best flowering. It may appreciate a bit of afternoon shade in the warmest zones.

They are very well adapted to sandy soils and acidic soils. However, they will tolerate a wide range of well-drained soils.

Provide a moderate amount of water on a regular basis. Please pay close attention to watering while the plant is getting established in your landscape after planting.

Prune after flowering is done to correct shape or remove crossing branches. Open the canopy to sunlight and air circulation as needed.

This is a plant you can feel good about. The fragrant, showy flowers simply shouldn't be missed. Order White Fringe Tree from the expert growers at Nature Hills today!

This is an interesting native tree that is well worth considering.

Single Stem, Multi Stem, Shrub Form, Oh My!

Before you buy, make sure you know what you’re getting! Single stem, multi stem and shrub forms are different so read a bit about which we’re currently offering below.

Single Stem:

These are plants that have one stem coming from the ground. Plants can also be considered single stem when lower branches are removed to raise the height of the branching. Sometimes, you will hear a single stem referred to as Tree Form.

Multi Stem:

These are plants with 2 or more stems planted together in the ground in close proximity to form a clump. There are times multi stems are formed by a tree that branches at the soil line with more than one main stem.

Shrub Form:

These are bushy plants with many stems and branchings close to the ground. They are referred to as shrubs or bushes and are often shorter than their tree forms.

Customer Reviews

Based on 16 reviews
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M
Miriam
Amazing Tree

I have 2 of these trees in my back yard. I wanted to use them to help screen my gazebo from the neighbors, so I let them grow as bushes. They grew so quickly that they were doing their job in 2 years! I have a male and a female, and both are beautiful. The white flowers in the spring are my favorite of all my spring bloomers. I think the flowers smell like coconut, my husband thinks they smell like peppermint. Other people have said roses, orange blossoms, and all other kinds of pleasant scents. I guess it depends on the person. I just love them. And, they don't grow in all kinds of wild directions and they don't grow too wide. I think they are perfect!

Dear Miriam,

Thank you so much for sharing your delightful experience with your two trees! It’s wonderful to hear how effectively they have screened your gazebo while adding such beauty and multi-sensory enjoyment to your backyard. Your description of the scent variations is truly charming—it's a great reminder of how nature’s wonders can be perceived so uniquely by each person, and how every season in the garden holds its own special magic.

We’re also thrilled to hear that their growth habit has worked perfectly for your space. If you ever want tips on maintaining them as bushes or maximizing their bloom health, feel free to reach out. We’re always here to support your planting journey.

Thank you again, Miriam, for choosing Nature Hills and for your lovely review!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

V
Vince
Staging reCAPTCHA Test

Test Review

Dear Vince,

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review on NatureHills.com! We appreciate your feedback and the opportunity to engage with you, even on a test review. If you ever have any questions about plants, need assistance with ordering, or want advice on how to care for your garden, please don't hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

G
Guest
White Fringe Amazing

The two trees arrived in perfect condition. One already in bloom. They were much larger than expected and worth every penny.

Hi,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with your White Fringe trees! We're absolutely thrilled to hear they arrived in perfect condition and that one is already in bloom—that’s always such an exciting milestone. It’s wonderful that they exceeded your size expectations and have added even more value to your garden.

If you ever need tips on how to best care for your White Fringe trees as they continue to grow or want recommendations for companion plants that complement their beauty, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

G
Guest
White Fringe Amazing

The two trees arrived in perfect condition. One already in bloom. They were much larger than expected and worth every penny.

Hi,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with your white fringe trees! We’re delighted to hear they arrived in perfect condition and that one has already begun to bloom – what a lovely surprise. It's great that they exceeded your size expectations and that you feel they’re worth every penny.

If you ever have questions about care or want some tips to encourage even more healthy growth, feel free to reach out. We also have helpful care guides on our website that might inspire you as your beautiful trees continue to thrive.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

G
Guest
i love the tree but

i love the tree but still waiting to see how it does

Hi,

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us. We're delighted to hear that you love your tree—it truly makes us happy to know it has found a special place with you! We completely understand the anticipation that comes with waiting to see how a new plant will thrive, and we appreciate your patience during this exciting time.

To help ensure your tree reaches its fullest potential, we recommend keeping an eye on watering needs based on your local climate and making sure it’s planted in soil appropriate for its type. If you’d like, we’re here to provide personalized tips or answer any questions you might have along the way to help your tree flourish.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out whenever you need assistance or simply want to update us on your tree’s progress!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team