May be used as a background shrub for beds and borders. The fringe tree's most outstanding feature is the fragrant, strap-like, white flowers that are borne in six to eight-inch long fleecy panicles in late May to early June. ... (C. retusus) in eastern Asia and one (C. virginicus) in eastern North America. These trees bloom in spring and summer with clusters of white flowers marked by their long, thin petals. Most resemble a large shrub. Add to native and wild gardens for habitat and seasonal interest. Design Ideas Fringe tree is a beautiful accent for foundation planting. Fringe tree, also called Chionanthus, is a small, ornamental deciduous tree that grows 12 to 20 feet in height and width. American Fringetree is usually dioecious, producing either all male flowers or all female flowers on the same shrub or tree, but not both. Fringe tree, Grancy or grandaddy graybeard and old man's beard (Chionanthus virginicus) grows 12 to 20 feet tall and has white drooping clusters of flowers that appear in late May and early June. Fringe tree is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, which means it grows throughout most of the United States. Grancy is another word meaning grandpa or grandad. Besides fringe tree or white fringe tree, common names that you may see for this tree include old man's beard and grancy greybeard. At maturity, the tree will be around 12 to 20 feet tall and wide. Growing Statistics . However, sometimes perfect flowers are produced. Fringe tree grows as either a wide-spreading, multi-stemmed shrub or a small tree useful in native woodland gardens, as a specimen plant in groups, borders, or near large buildings. A striking accent in any garden setting. Genus Chionanthus are small deciduous trees or large srhubs, with simple leaves in pairs, and loose terminal panicles of whtie flowers with 4 narrow petals, sometimes followed by blue-black berries Details C. virginicus is a deciduous shrub with an abundance of slightly fragrant, airy, creamy- white flowers in June and July; dark blue-black berries may follow in autumn Particularly beautiful against red brick or dark timber homes. Type: Tree Family: Oleaceae Native Range: Eastern United States ... Missouri native shrub or small tree with a spreading, rounded habit that typically grows 12-20' tall (to 35' in the wild, however) and most often occurs in rich, moist woods and hillsides, moist stream banks, limestone glade margins and rocky bluffs and ledges. American Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus) The American fringe tree grows 12 to 20 feet tall and wide, indigenous to the eastern U.S and flourishes from Canada all the way down to the Gulf Coast. To view each fringe tree picture in full size just click on the tree picture. The blooming period occurs during late spring, lasting about 2 weeks. Male flowers have 2 short stamens, while female flowers have a small superior ovary with a single style. It is usually one of the last trees to leaf out in the spring, and in autumn the oval leaves turn a fine, clear yellow. Enjoy these pictures and blossoms of the Fringe Tree . It can have several trunks, making the shape variable depending on the way they grow. Common Name: fringe tree .