Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Looking for a native flowering tree that will wow you?? Spring Fleecing Fringetree is the perfect choice for your garden. The tree has beautiful, upright panicles of unique, fringed, white flowers. Flowers give way to navy blue berries in the fall, and the green leaves turn a lovely yellow shade. Along with the berries and foliage color, Spring Fleecing Fringetree has a bark texture that peels back in the fall, adding interest to your winter garden. Spring Fleecing Fringetree or Chionanthus virginicus, combining the Greek word for snow (chion) and flower (anthos), is a show stopping choice for your garden.
Native to the US, Spring Fleecing Fringetree is pest and disease resistant. Once established, the tree will demonstrate drought tolerance. The tree has a rounded form and is slow growing and slow to bloom. The flowers are worth the wait with their unique appearance and pleasant fragrance in spring and summer. Use Spring Fleecing Fringetree as a specimen plant, as a hedge or screen, as an accent, and in mass plantings. Spring Fleecing Fringetree is hardy from zone 4a - 9b.
Spring Fleecing Fringetree Care
Spring Fleecing Fringetree grows well in full sun to part shade. The tree is adaptable and tolerates dry to very wet conditions. Water when the top layer of soil is dry. Spring Fleecing Fringetree tolerates all soil pH levels and grows best in rich, well-drained soil. This tree is a good choice for inner city environments since it adapts to harsh conditions. Fertilizing will boost the size and amount of flowers. Feed with a balanced fertilizer in the spring.
Spring Fleecing Fringetree requires minimal pruning. The tree blooms on old wood so any pruning should be done after flowering. Prune in the winter to remove any dead or damaged branches.
Spring Fleecing Fringetree Spacing
Spring Fleecing Fringetree will reach 12 - 18 feet in height with a spread of 8 - 10 feet. Space trees approximately 10 feet apart.
Partial Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sunlight)
Spring Fleecing Fringetree Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 9 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 12-18 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 8-10+ Feet
- Growth Rate
- Slow
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- Wispy, fringe-like pure white
- Bloom Time
- Mid to Late Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Harvest Time
- 70-80 days after transplant
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Fall Flowering, Fall Interest, 3 Season Interest, Spring Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Spring Fleecing Fringetree
- Also Known As
- Spring Fleecing Fringetree
- Botanical Name
- Chionanthus virginicus 'Spring Fleecing'
- Plant Type
- Tree
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!