Chinese Fringe Tree

15 Gallon

$199.00 $229.00

1/5

Chinese Fringe Tree

Chionathus retusus

A slow-growing, pest-resistant small tree for spectacular fragrant white blooms in late spring.

$199.00 $229.00

24-hour Money-back Guarantee

Free Delivery Over $199

+1 650-241-8858 (SMS ok)

coco-plant

Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Chinese Fringe Tree is a stunning small deciduous tree valued for its spectacular, fragrant late-spring bloom and excellent four-season interest. In late spring, its branches are covered with delicate, airy panicles of fragrant, white, fringe-like flowers, creating a soft, cloud-like effect. Its glossy, dark green leaves turn a soft, buttery yellow in fall, and it may produce attractive dark blue berries on female plants. Slow-growing, adaptable, and pest-resistant, it is a perfect specimen tree for small gardens, lawns, or near patios where its elegant beauty can be appreciated.

Spectacular Spring Bloom: Produces abundant, showy clusters of fragrant, white, strap-like petals in late spring, creating a "fringed" or fluffy appearance.
Excellent Small Tree for Limited Spaces: Grows slowly to a manageable size, typically 15-20 feet tall and wide, with a rounded, multi-stemmed habit.
Attractive Fall Color & Wildlife Value: Foliage turns a clear, bright yellow in autumn. Female trees produce small, olive-like blue berries that are attractive to birds.
Adaptable & Trouble-Free: Tolerates a wide range of soils, including clay, and is resistant to most pests and diseases. Once established, it has good drought tolerance.
Low Maintenance: Requires minimal pruning to develop its naturally attractive shape. An excellent, carefree alternative to fussier flowering trees.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Spear-shaped green leaves turning golden yellow in fall. Fringe-like clusters of slender white flowers bloom in late spring with a subtle fragrance, followed by small blue-black berries that attract wildlife.
Mature Height: 15–20 ft
Mature Width: 15–20 ft
Growth Rate: Slow
Light Needs: Full sun to part shade
Key Advantages:Four-season interest,Wildlife-friendly berries,Disease and pest resistant,Adaptable to tough conditions
Soil Preference: Tolerates clay and drought-prone soils
Landscape Uses:Small lawn specimens,Wildlife gardens,Urban street trees,Limited-space landscapes

Q: Do I need a male and female tree to get berries?
A: Yes, this species is dioecious. Only female trees will produce the ornamental blue berries, and they require a male tree nearby for pollination. If berries are desired, be sure to specify when purchasing.

Q: How does it differ from the American Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)?
A: The Chinese Fringe Tree (C. retusus) typically has a more refined, rounded habit, shinier leaves, and flowers that appear with or just after the leaves on current year's growth. The American species (C. virginicus) is often more shrub-like, with slightly larger flower clusters that appear before the leaves on old wood.