Chionanthus retusus

Published: May 2008

Commonly known as the “Chinese Fringe Tree”, it is one of the most handsome of large shrubs, bearing a profusion of snow-white flowers in June and July and should be more widely planted. As well as its stunning flowers, the Chinese fringe tree bears fruit in the form of a drupe, or stoned fruit, similar to an olive. In fact, much like the olive, these start out green and ripen to a darker colour, although in this case more blue-black than the ripe olive. Although not palatable for human consumption, birds eat the fruits. Native to China, Korea and Japan, Chionanthus retusus can be seen at Marks Hall to the right of the TaxodiumSwamp.