White Fringe Tree vs Water Arum - TreeTime.ca

White Fringe Tree vs Water Arum

Calla palustris

Chionanthus virginicus

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Water Arum
White Fringe Tree

Water Arum is a native perennial wetland plant known for its showy white oval sheaths (spathe) that surround a yellow-green, cylindrical flower spike (spadix). It has large, oblong, heart-shaped leaves on stems that rise above the water from shallow, spreading rhizomes. The blossoms are followed in late summer by tiny, pear-shaped fruits that ripen to bright red, adding ornamental interest to wet habitats.

Water Arum provides food for birds and small mammals that eat its berries, and its flowers attract pollinators. It can tolerate cold climates and forms colonies in shallow water and saturated soils. It is well-suited for ecological restoration, riparian planting, naturalisation, and habitat projects in wet and shaded environments.

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.

Water Arum Quick Facts

White Fringe Tree Quick Facts

Zone: 1b
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.2 m (0.8 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 0.2 m (0.8 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Light: shade, partial shade
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Growth form: colony-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: toxic if ingested

Flowers: white sheath around and yellow spike
Flowers: fragrant, white clusters
Bloom time: spring to summer
Berries: red, in clusters
Berries: blue to black
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, PE
Other Names: bog arum, swamp lily, wild calla, wild dragon
Other Names: american fringe tree, american fringetree, fringe tree, fringetree, north american fringe tree, white fringetree