The Best Native Shrubs for Year-Round Interest and Seasonal Color
Native shrubs offer some of the most reliable, low maintenance, and ecologically beneficial options ...
Are you looking for a small beautiful spring-flowering tree to plant this spring with great fall color and beautiful blue-black fruit? Look no further than the native Fringetree. Fringetree, Chionanthus virginicus, is rarely planted in a home landscape because local nurseries often don’t carry it as it doesn’t have the name recognition of a dogwood or redbud. But it definitely is a notable small tree that should be more widely planted.
Seen mostly at arboretums and botanical gardens, their staff know a good thing when they see it, and include it frequently in plantings. But unless you see it in full bloom, in April or May, you would probably ignore it completely, so that is the reason people don’t plant it more widely.
The Fringetree is truly spectacular in flower. Renowned horticulturist Michael Dirr states in Dirr’s Manual of Woody Landscape Plants:
“I would like to make the case for this as the national shrub, for even Dogwood does not carry itself with such refinement, dignity, and class when in flower.”
Even the British—who have a long tradition of appreciating American plants—consider the Fringetree one of the finest native species introduced to their gardens.
If you have a spot with full sun to partial shade, and you’re looking for a low-maintenance native tree that stays under 20 feet tall, the Fringetree checks every box. Here are just a few of its standout qualities:
Incredible spring blooms: Clouds of fragrant, white, thread-like flowers appear in late spring, earning it the nickname “Old Man’s Beard.”
Brilliant yellow fall foliage: Extends the beauty of your landscape into autumn.
Pollinator-friendly: Attracts bees, bats, and butterflies.
Bird-supportive: Female trees produce blue-black fruit (drupes) loved by birds.
Host plant for sphinx moth larvae.
Adaptable: Tolerates heavy clay soil, black walnut proximity, and urban air pollution.
Pest and disease resistant: Virtually no serious insect or disease problems.
Fringetree is tougher than the temperamental Dogwood and longer-lived than a Cherry, but since people don’t know about it, it is not requested. I have been suggesting this more and more for small to medium properties. Moderately resistant to deer browsing, I would still fence the tree while young and tender if deer browsing is a problem. There are female and male Fringetrees and the males have slightly showier flowers, but the female plants produce clusters of 1/2 inch to 2/3 inch long wonderful blue-black, olive-like fruit (drupes) that mature in late summer and early fall. While not edible to humans, these fruits are attractive to birds. Plus, the tree attracts many pollinators, including bats.
It is also the larval host plant for several species of sphinx moths. Unfortunately, at a nursery, you can’t tell if you are buying a female or male tree unless you are buying it in the fall and it is actively bearing fruit. Usually multi-trunked and with a rounded shape, this small tree can fit into tight spots, preferably with a dark background so the blooms contrast for a good show.
Sometimes you can find a single-trunked specimen that would have a narrower silhouette. The glossy leaves start to appear when the blooms have finished and are dropping to the ground like snow. A great woodland tree, Fringetree can be grown in partial or full sun. Spectacular grown in groups or as specimens in lawns, Fringetrees would also be at home in native plant gardens and shrub borders. No serious insect or disease problems make this a no-brainer for gardeners to try. Interested in purchasing a Fringetree? Shop here.
Claire is a horticulturalist and landscape design consultant. Owner of Claire Jones Landscapes, LLC, Claire’s designed gardens have been featured in print publications like WSJ and Style Magazine. A garden writer at The Garden Diaries, Claire maintains 3 honeybee hives and gardens at her home in Maryland.
