Enkianthus, like rhododendrons and azaleas, thrive in moist, well-drained, acidic soil. Zones 4 to 7. Put one of these in your front yard and traffic will slow. In mid- to late spring this large shrub or small tree billows into bloom. Clusters of white strap-petaled flowers appear at the end of new growth and literally cover the canopy.
Blue fruits develop on female plants, ripening in fall.
In winter the fringetree shows off its deeply furrowed , grayish-brown bark. Although there's a lot of variation in habit, the Chinese fringetree has a multistemmed habit, with rounded crown and spreading branches. Expect a mature size of 15 to 25 feet high and wide. Zones 4 to 9. Dozens of cultivars give you the opportunity to choose among white, pinks, reds and bicolors.