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June 2006Exotic White-Flowering Woodies
Leonard J. Buck Garden, Far Hills, NJ Chionanthus retusus, Chinese fringe tree, is native to China, Korea, and Japan. This small deciduous tree or large shrub, grows 15 to 25 feet. Its 3-inch, lightly fragrant flowers are pure white, borne in showy terminal panicles. Chinese fringe tree is tolerant of a wide range of soil pH and its moisture requirements range from moderately droughty to periodically wet. Once established little maintenance is required. The showy, dark blue fruits on some female plants follow in the fall and are consumed by various species of wildlife. Handsome glossy green summer leaves can develop a yellow to green fall color. The bark on the Chinese fringe tree is light gray to gray-brown in color; becoming mildly ridged and furrowed on older trunks making this a tree for all seasons. Chionanthus virginicus, white fringe, or old man's beard is native to the southeastern United States. Right now this small tree, large shrub, is wrapped in white fringe. Panicles of fleecy, creamy white, fragrant flowers are suspended on previous year's growth. Female trees bear attractive clusters of blue fruits in mid-August that are relished by wildlife. The leaves are medium to dark green in the summer, and fall color is usually yellowish green-brown. White fringe grows well in full sun or partial shade in soils that are moist, and fertile. In the wild this native tree can be found along stream banks or the borders of wetlands. Both fringe trees make beautiful specimens, and both are tolerant of air pollution making them a good choice in the urban setting. Deutzia gracilis 'Nikko,' slender deutzia, is an excellent low growing border plant. Native to Japan, this free flowing plant literally covers itself in pure white flowers. The cultivar Nikko is a fine-textured plant reaching only 2 feet with a 3 to 4 foot spread. The leaves are bright green with deep burgundy fall color. Deutzia can be placed in a sunny rock or hillside garden or used as a ground cover. It prospers in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil. Photinia villosa, Oriental photinia, is a native of Japan, Korea, and China. This small deciduous tree or large shrub has an irregular, broad, rounded-to-vase shape. Its white flowers are 1/3-inch across and conspicuously warty. The leaves have sharply serrated leaf margins and are dark green in the summer and bronzy red in the fall. The bright red fruit which follows attracts many species of birds and persists into winter. Oriental photinia grows 8 to 15 feet tall with an 8 to 12-foot spread. It likes sun to light shade and will tolerate clay soil, but prefers well drained soil. - Tricia Scibilia, interpretive gardener |
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