Photograph coming soon
Chionanthus retusus
Shrubs
Chionanthus retusus
Chinese fringe tree
Clouds of fluffy, white, fringe-like flowers in early summer cover this graceful shrub or small tree.
Fluffy white fringe flowers
Early summer display
Peeling bark with age
Elegant and unusual
Please check before you visit. Our nursery is very well stocked, but what we hold changes with the seasons, so this plant may not always be in stock. Enquire before you head over and we will check availability and the sizes we have for you.
At a glance
Type
Shrub
Foliage
Deciduous
Seasons of interest
Early summer flowers
Eventual size
Typically 3 to 5 m
Position
Full sun
Soil
Moist, well-drained
Hardiness
Fully hardy in the UK
Available
A range of sizes. Ask our team for current availability and pricing.
Why we love it
In flower it looks as if covered in snow.
It is rarely seen and always admired.
How to use it
A specimen for a sunny lawn or border.
Planting and aftercare
Plant between autumn and spring, water well through the first two summers and mulch each year. Little pruning is needed; tidy in late winter or after flowering.
See it in person
Every plant at Form is hand-selected, none contains new peat, and nothing beats choosing yours by eye. Visit our Row Town showroom in Surrey, just 30 minutes from London, where our team will show you the best of what is on the nursery right now. We deliver across London, Surrey and the Home Counties, and nationwide.
Walk in any time during opening hours and you will be looked after. If you would like dedicated time with a specialist, book a Genus Bar appointment.
Frequently asked questions
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In early summer, usually June.
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We keep a very well-stocked nursery, but our stock changes with the seasons, so availability varies. Please email us before you visit and we will check what we have and the sizes available.
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We supply shrubs from smaller pots for mass planting through to 10 litre plants and larger specimens for instant impact. Ask our team for current sizes.
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Yes. Visit our Row Town showroom, or collect from our Burrow Hill cash and carry in Chobham (please call before visiting). You can also book a Genus Bar appointment.
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Yes, we deliver nationwide with our own in-house team, including across London and the Home Counties.
All our shrubs
Explore every option in our shrubs collection, or view them all with photographs →
Chionanthus retusus
Can’t see what you’re looking for?
Get in touch and we’ll help you find it. Our nursery is very well stocked and we can source almost any plant through our network of trusted growers. Email info@formplants.com, or send us your whole plant list through our bespoke sourcing service.