Buttonbush vs White Fringe Tree - TreeTime.ca

Buttonbush vs White Fringe Tree

Chionanthus virginicus

Cephalanthus occidentalis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

CUSTOM GROW

White Fringe Tree
Buttonbush

White Fringe Tree is known for its fringe-like white flowers. It can either grow as a small tree or a large multistemmed shrub. The White Fringe Tree has separate male and female plants. Both male and female flowers have white fringe-like petals, but the male flowers are longer and showier. The female flowers give way to clusters of dark blue to black berries. These berries are not edible for humans but attract birds and other wildlife.

The White Fringe Tree is tolerant of clay soils, saline soils, and air pollution but does not do well in prolonged dry conditions.

Buttonbush is a moisture loving shrub that provides year round interest.

It has round, fragrant flowers resembling small buttons or pincushions. The flowers transform into small reddish-brown fruit that persists into winter while the leaves take on shades of red in fall.

Providing essential food to bees, butterflies, and other insects, this shrub is versatile. Try it in your next shrub border.

White Fringe Tree Quick Facts

Buttonbush Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 4a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: medium
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium


Flowers: fragrant, white clusters
Flowers: large, white, spherical
Berries: blue to black
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB
Other Names: american fringe tree, american fringetree, fringe tree, fringetree, north american fringe tree, white fringetree