---

---

Similar to the native Fringetree, commonly called Grancy Graybeard by many, Chionanthus pymaeus commonly known as Pygmy Fringetree, is a truly rare dwarf form that grows to maybe 10 feet tall and equally as wide at maturity. This is the even more rare single-trunk tree-form version. Just like its cousins, it is adored for its cloud-like abundant clusters of whimsical, sweetly fragrant, fringe-like showy white flowers that adorn the tree in spring. The flowers are a favorite of butterflies and beneficial pollinators. Small purplish brown fruits following the flowers are enjoyed by birds and mammals. The oval leaves to 4 inches long emerge a light chartreuse-green maturing to a darker green. Though endemic to Florida where it thrives in coarse, sandy soils, it will thrive in well-drained average garden soils anywhere where the temperature in winter don't drop below -13F, as noted by Dr. Michael Dirr. Being a Florida native it thrives in full blazing sun to light shade and handles heat and humidity with no problems, but not salt. Listed as endangered by the State of Florida, planting this long-lived, rare and beautiful specimen helps to ensure its long-term survival on earth.

Growing 10 to 12 feet tall and wide, the single-trunk tree form Pygmy Fringetree is ideal for use as a specimen in sunny landscape borders and garden beds. Where spaces allows in larger landscape borders it can be planted in groupings. It is a fine addition to wildlife gardens, North American native plant garden, butterfly and beneficial pollinator gardens, fragrance gardens and cottage gardens.

Suggested Spacing:  15 feet for space between trees

 

Pygmy Fringetree is long-lived and easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained soil of average to low fertility and full sun to light shade. We suggest at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day. Though native to Florida, while it thrives in a coarse sandy soil, it does not like a salty soil. Established trees have moderate drought tolerance. A must-have native in every garden where it will grow!