White Fringe Tree

Chionanthus virginicus

Nature Hills Nursery

Snow-Like Fragrant Blooms: Fringe Tree Explodes with Delicate White Petals Each Spring
Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 15-20 ft Tall, 10-15 ft Wide
Drought Tolerant, Pollution Tolerant
Native, Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Small Mammals and Songbirds

$97⁹⁰

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Plant Size

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: For the best flower production, plant your White Fringe Tree in a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight. While it adapts well to partial shade, you will notice fewer of those signature "fringe" blooms and a more open, leggy growth habit.
Soil: This tree thrives in deep, moist, and slightly acidic soil. If you are dealing with heavy clay, incorporate organic compost at planting time to improve aeration and prevent the roots from becoming waterlogged.

Watering Requirements

During the first two growing seasons, provide deep watering twice a week to ensure the root system establishes properly. Once mature, the tree is moderately drought tolerant, but it performs best when the soil remains consistently moist. If the soil stays too dry for too long, the tree may show signs of stress like scorched leaf edges or a thinner canopy.

Pruning Tips

White Fringe Trees bloom on old wood, so any structural pruning should be done immediately after the flowers fade in late spring. Use sharp hand pruners to remove dead or crossing branches to maintain its natural, airy shape. Avoid pruning in late summer or winter, because you will accidentally remove the dormant buds that produce next year’s white blossoms.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer once in early spring as the leaf buds begin to swell. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers after midsummer, as this promotes tender new growth that will not have time to harden off before the first frost. A yearly application of organic mulch around the base also helps maintain the acidic soil conditions this tree prefers.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Flowering, Fragrant, Fall Color/Interest, Native, Ornamental Berries/Fruit, Attracts pollinators, Drought resistant, Non-invasive
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	15-20 ft
Width	10-15 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Slow
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	White
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Fringe
Botanical Name	Chionanthus virginicus
Species	virginicus
Class	Oxalidales, Lamiales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, OR, PR

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I water a newly planted White Fringe Tree, and does it tolerate drought?

Water newly planted White Fringe Trees deeply once weekly during their first growing season. This adaptable native tolerates drought once established and isn't fussy about water requirements. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged the first year, then reduce watering frequency as the tree matures.

Is White Fringe Tree male or female, and do I need both for berries?

White Fringe Trees are either male or female, and only female plants produce the dark navy blue berries that ripen in late summer. Both sexes produce fragrant white flowers, but you need a female tree for fruit. For reliable berry production, consider ordering a female plant when you shop at Nature Hills.

Does White Fringe Tree have any common pests or diseases?

White Fringe Tree is remarkably pest and disease resistant, making it one of the most low-maintenance native ornamentals you can grow. This hardy tree rarely experiences serious issues and tolerates urban pollution well. Simply provide good drainage and avoid overwatering to prevent any potential root problems.

Can White Fringe Tree be grown in containers or urban conditions?

White Fringe Trees tolerate air pollution well, making them excellent urban trees. They're adaptable across wide hardiness zones and handle challenging growing conditions. For containers, choose a large pot since these can become small ornamental trees with time.

Is White Fringe Tree easy to transplant, or does it need special care when planting?

White Fringe Tree transplants easily and is notably non-fussy once established. This adaptable native tolerates a wide range of conditions and even air pollution. Just remember it's often the last tree to leaf out in spring, so don't panic if it looks dormant longer than expected.

What fertilizer should I use for White Fringe Tree, and how often?

White Fringe Trees are low-maintenance natives that rarely need fertilizing in average soils. A balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer applied once in early spring can boost growth if your soil is poor. Skip fertilizing established trees - they're quite adaptable and over-fertilizing can reduce their spectacular spring blooms.