Chionanthus virginicus

Habitat: moist streambanks, ridges, and hillsides in sandy to deep-rich soils

One of the last trees to leaf out in the spring. In late spring, fragrant flower clusters with creamy white fringe-like petals appear. Slow grower. For berries, you need a female and a male. Very beautiful specimen shrub. Often wider than high. Fragrant flowers. Tolerates compacted soils, salt, light shade, tough in urban situations.

Wildlife value: The showy blue-black fruits, maturing in late summer, provides a food source for birds and wildlife.  The fruits are attractive to a variety of wildlife, including many songbirds, white-tailed deer, quail, and turkeys