As with many of my aquisitions - I buy (or am given), I plant and then I forget ... until later. This was the case at the weekend when I was surprised by this lovely display of a chionanthus (fringe tree) that I planted last year.
Showing off a new baby
Looks very nice. Is that the Chinese or American fringe tree? I had a Chinese one at our last house and it grew fairly large quickly but it had no fragrance like the American ones. Pigeon Hill and Little Kennesaw Mountain are always a treat when the fringe trees are blooming.
Unfortunately the tag only said "chionanthus", so I don't know. I'll go and sniff the blossoms! (It is deciduous).
Here is a close up of one on Little Kennesaw Mountain (2005). It is fragrant when it is warm.
Beautiful, hmcdole. Is it in bloom this time of year?
The trees up on the mountain are probably in bloom now (that picture was April 24, 2005). I could not find any pictures from last year and I haven't been back since last month (maybe I will venture forth this weekend). The first thing I noticed was the fragrance, then the blooms. My Chinese one had no fragrance whatsoever but did have long panicles of blooms and did set some fruit but I never saw any seedlings from it. This is a tree that needs both sexes (like hollies) to set seed from what I have read about it.
The blossoms have a faint but sweet scent when I put my nose to them. Does this mean it is American?
Beautiful! That's all :).
Laurel
Here's mine and it smells really spice like. Really strong. Another name is Grancy Grey Beard.
Your's is really pretty.
Wow, neat plant. Guess I have never seen one in person.
Georgiaredclay, yours is lovely too. I guess they are all a real treat.
its on my list now.. I need one :)
Susan
They sure smell so good.
The mountain (Little Kennesaw) was full of them yesterday and I noticed some were intensely fragrant and others weren't (I wonder if the male or female tree has the scent).
Here was a good sized tree (shrub) with white blooms on the sunny side and greenish blooms on the shady side.
Close up of the blooms.
Dropped petals on moss.
Hi Folks, I saw this thread. I have been looking for one of these and I am in NC but come to GA occasionally. Anyone know where I can buy or order one?
Thanks,
Susan
I'm with you, Susan, both Susans!. Gotta have it! Going to plantfiles now to see which vendors sell it.
Artgal, Thanks for showing off your new baby! Now I gotta have one. My favorite tree vendor is Mail Order Natives who has it. http://www.mailordernatives.com/servlet/Categories
I have five (only), that I grew , or am growing from seed, and this is their fourth year, and still no bloom, but hoping.They are about 24" this year.Mike "a watched pot never boils!!"