American fringetree

American fringetree in bloom.

• Common name: American fringetree
• Botanical name: Chionanthus virginicus
• What it is: A small native tree (or multi-stemmed large bush, depending on how you prune it) that gets very unusual shaggy white flowers in late May through early June. Nicknamed “old man’s beard” for the interesting flowers. Leaves turn yellow in fall.
• Size: 15 to 20 feet tall and wide but is a slow grower.
• Where to use: Makes a great front-yard specimen or centered out any oft-used window – especially when pruned as a single-trunk tree. Grows in sun or part shade and tolerates fairly damp soil.
• Care: Plant in loose, rich, acidy soil and keep well watered for the first year or two until the roots establish. Prune right after flowering to shape in early years, then little or no pruning needed. Remove lower limbs as tree ages. Fertilize in early spring with an acidifying organic fertilizer, such as Holly-Tone, if at all. Seldom bothered by bugs or disease.
• Great partner: Liriope makes a nice groundcover underneath. Spanish bluebells bloom at about the same time… their blue flower spikes pair well with the shaggy white flowers of fringetree.