Chionanthus Species, General Grant's Beard, Grancy Graybeard, Old Man's Beard, White Fringe Tree

Chionanthusvirginicus

Family
Oleaceae (oh-lee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Chionanthus (kye-oh-NAN-thus)
Species
virginicus (vir-JIN-ih-kus)
Synonym
Chionanthus virginicus var. maritimus
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Spacing
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Other Details
Category
Shrubs
Water Requirements
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
4.5 or below (very acidic)
4.6 to 5.0 (highly acidic)
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From semi-hardwood cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
By simple layering
Seed Collecting
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Atmore, Alabama

Birmingham, Alabama

Centre, Alabama

Fairhope, Alabama

Pelham, Alabama

Springville, Alabama

Tuscumbia, Alabama

Vincent, Alabama

Sitka, Alaska

Conway, Arkansas(2 reports)

Morrilton, Arkansas

Oakland, California

San Leandro, California

Santa Barbara, California

Fort Collins, Colorado

Boca Raton, Florida

Gainesville, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

Keystone Heights, Florida

Lecanto, Florida

Oldsmar, Florida

Perry, Florida

Sarasota, Florida

Valparaiso, Florida

Atlanta, Georgia(2 reports)

Augusta, Georgia

Barnesville, Georgia

Cornelia, Georgia

Dallas, Georgia

Dalton, Georgia

Jesup, Georgia

Saint Charles, Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Lansing, Kansas

Shawnee Mission, Kansas

Baton Rouge, Louisiana(2 reports)

Mandeville, Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana(2 reports)

Nottingham, Maryland

Valley Lee, Maryland

Roslindale, Massachusetts

Southfield, Michigan

Chaska, Minnesota

Blue Mountain, Mississippi

Carriere, Mississippi(2 reports)

Waynesboro, Mississippi

Norfolk, Nebraska

Stirling, New Jersey

Whitehouse Station, New Jersey

Averill Park, New York

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina

Columbus, North Carolina

Mebane, North Carolina

Monroe, North Carolina

Mooresville, North Carolina

New Bern, North Carolina

Washington, North Carolina

Akron, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio

Cleveland, Ohio

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Dayton, Ohio

Mill City, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Lansdowne, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Bluffton, South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina

Conway, South Carolina

Florence, South Carolina(2 reports)

Islandton, South Carolina

Lexington, South Carolina

Ridgeville, South Carolina

Sumter, South Carolina

Bluff City, Tennessee

Collierville, Tennessee

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Broaddus, Texas

Longview, Texas

Magnolia, Texas

New Caney, Texas

Orem, Utah

Disputanta, Virginia

Nellysford, Virginia

Staunton, Virginia

Urbanna, Virginia

Battle Ground, Washington

Cherry Grove, Washington

Dollar Corner, Washington

Lewisville, Washington

Meadow Glade, Washington

Olympia, Washington

Venersborg, Washington

Cambridge, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

10
positives
6
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
J
Collierville, TN | March 2023 | positive

When I first spotted this plant at a neighbor's house, the unique blossoms caught my attention. I plucked up courage and asked for a cut...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | February 2014 | positive

Very beautiful when in flower.

This is among the latest shrubs to emerge from dormancy---I rarely see signs of life befor...Read More

R
Downingtown, PA | January 2014 | positive

I first saw this plant as a large shrub in part-shade at Cantigni War Museum Park in Wheaton, IL, that has slightly alkaline soil on the ...Read More

M
Dalton, GA | March 2013 | neutral

Help! This is more of a request for assistance than a rating of this plant... My mom had one of these beautiful trees on her lot/yard ...Read More

M
Southfield, MI | May 2012 | neutral

Does anyone know where I can buy a fringe tree in Metro Detroit? A white fringe tree would be perfect I think.

H
Perry, FL (Zone 8a) | March 2011 | positive

When we first bought our house in Jan 2004, I noticed a small 'bush' about 3' high at the edge of our yard. While walking around our ...Read More

M
Shawnee Mission, KS | July 2010 | positive

I have this small tree/shrub in my front yard and yes, it is a slow grower but what a beauty in bloom! The fragrance is very subtle and q...Read More

C
Fairhope, AL | April 2008 | positive

I planted two sticks (3feet high) in1982 in our front yard. One was lost in hurricaine Hugo, but the remaining tree is about 20 feet high...Read More

F
Augusta, GA (Zone 8a) | April 2007 | positive

Known locally as GRANDDADDY'S
GREYBEARD it is a quite attractive wild shrub, that blooms just after the Azaleas. Great spring colo...Read More

1
Bluffton, SC (Zone 9a) | March 2007 | neutral

This plant is commonly seen growing as a smaller shrub in the understory of the piedmont and sandhills in S.C.'s midlands. I has a few s...Read More

V
Barnesville, GA (Zone 8a) | May 2006 | neutral

I like it, but so do the deer. As soon as it bloomed, they ate all the foilage and blooms, luckily it's resprouting, but too late to enjoy it.

D
New Orleans, LA (Zone 9a) | November 2003 | positive

Beutiful when in bloom, an excellant understory tree in the southern part of its range.

L
Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) | January 2003 | neutral

Plants are either male or female; both are needed to produce fruit (dark blue grape-like) with viable seeds. The male flower-heads are the showier.

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | August 2002 | positive

My neighbor has one, and the smell is wonderful! Hoping to get some cuttings and get a few plants started for myself.

F
Dunnellon, FL (Zone 8b) | August 2002 | positive

I have grown this plant in several different places. It will grow on extremely poor soil, fertile silt loams, and even in Florida s...Read More

M
M
Ewing, KY (Zone 6a) | September 2001 | neutral

This is a large shrub or small tree, reaching a height of 20 feet or so, with one or few short trunks and a rounded crown. In the wild, ...Read More

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