Chinese Graybeard of Chinese Fringe Tree. This magnificent plant is the Asian counterpart to our native Chionanthus virginicus, or Grancy Graybeard. But, it makes a much larger specimen. It is native to both Japan and China, and I have seen grooves of it in its native habitat with trunks up to 18 in. in diameter, 30 ft. tall with an equal spread. When customers come into our retail shopping for a dogwood, most leave with this plant instead, because it does much better in full sun than a dogwood and it doesn't have the disease and insect problems that most often accompany dogwood. Once established it is nearly indestructible. The second and last picture were taken at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and is the largest plant that I have seen in the U.S. This species is dioecious, meaning separate male and female plants. Hence females will produces 1/3 in. dark blue berries, if there is a male pollinator nearby. But I truly believe that a few of the opposite sex flowers are on every plants, because I have seen solitary females producing some fruit. Likewise, with our native species as well.
Zones 4-9
