Chionanthus virginicus Fringetree

This easy to grow and widely underused native selection is the perfect combination of beauty, utility, and wildlife attractiveness. Long, wide, deep green spear-like leaves cover this multi-stemmed small tree and serve as a perfect backdrop for 4-6 drooping strings of white fringe-like petals from mid-May to mid-June. In late summer, bunches of dark, bluish-black fruit appear, providing prized food for local birds and other garden critters. Even with its attractive fruit and flowers, Fringetree may save its best show for last with a bright yellow fall foliage display that is as bright as it is beautiful. Use Fringetree in your landscape in any sunny location that calls for a small specimen or it can even be grouped along the border to form a unique hedge or windbreak that will enhance your landscape with its ability to house many colorful local birds?