Looking quite dazzling in mid-April is our specimen of the Chinese fringe tree, Chionanthus retusus ‘China Snow’. The incredible masses of white flowers perfume quite an area during the flowering period. This is a particularly heavy-flowering selection from the late nurseryman, Don Shadow. Mature size is 30′ tall x 30′ wide, with a winter hardiness of Zone 6a-9b, at least.
Beautiful !!
How do our native Chionanthus do for you?
We love our native fringe trees, which include Chionanthus virginicus, henryae, and pygmaeus. All three are great here at JLBG, but none are nearly as showy or as architecturally interesting as the Chinese Chionanthus retusus.
Glad to hear that. And explains why Chinese fringe is more popular.
That is a beautiful specimen! Question – C. retusus in general does well for us here in east Texas, EXCEPT ‘Tokyo Tower’, which plant grows well, but is extremely shy about blooming, so much so that growers no longer grow it. Theory is that it came from a northern Japanese island, so it potential more chilling than it typically gets in Texas. Does ‘Tokyo Tower’ bloom well for you in NC? Any information on where Don Shadow acquired ‘China Snow”, or how well it blooms further south?
I can’t put my hands on the paper currently, but Dr. Richard Olsen did a study of the origins of Chionanthus retusus, and found that some are native to Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, and Mainland China. Those from Taiwan seemed to flower best in the hottest climates.
That makes sense. Just wondering specifically about ‘China Snow’, if it is known where it originated.