An article on C. retusus from the Arnold Arboretum (see link) states, "it is no exaggeration to say that this tree is capable of putting on one of the Arboretum's best floral displays...Chinese fringetree is more tree-like and graceful than its straggly American cousin, C. virginicus..."

The article also notes that Chinese fringetrees are somewhat variable in habit, those from a Korean seed source being more tree-like, while others are multi-stemmed and relatively bushy. I've noticed this difference in habit at some of the growing nurseries I've visited. The species appears to be fully hardy here, and adaptable to different soil conditions.

Here is a link that might be useful: Chinese Fringetree

It sounds like Chinese fringe tree is the way to go. Now, if only I could get some seeds...

I emailed you the midwest source I'm getting mine from.

Thanks for the info. Their prices seem very reasonable.

I've grown both species for quite a while. While the American species is showier in flower, and definitely more fragrant, the Chinese form is overall a tidier and tougher plant. It is much more tolerant to drought. It will also fruit solo, which the native will not do. The variance of C. retusus is surprising. Foliage, form, and bark varies considerably according to different seed sources.

Somebody here - I can't remember who - send me a bag of C. retusus seeds several years back, in trade for something I had. Got nearly 100% germination - which was great, 'cause I'd never had any luck germinating C.virginicus seeds from my tree.
Have grown those seedlings out for 3 or 4 years, and somehow, something just never seemed quite right to me about them; I was amazed at the fabulous fall color display the one I'd planted in the yard put on in fall '09. Then, this summer, as I was watering the remaining dozen or so seedlings, it suddenly hit me - they're not Chionanthus, they're Nyssa sylvatica.
Nice specimens, in their own right, but floral display will be lacking. I have found homes for most of them - but had given some away - with the C.retusus label affixed.

lucky:

You are a bigger man than most here, to admit that mis-ID.

For others who may not recognize: all the Chionanthus spp. are going to be opposite in arrangement, while Nyssa spp. will be alternate.

At least you didn't get some dog plant like a Carpinus or Acer sp.....

I had a Chionanthus virginicus that I got rid of. It leafed out so late in spring people would ask me why it died. Everything else is looking good, and here's a plant that looks dead. Ruins the whole scene. Can't have that!

Fall color was not that great, nor was the branching pattern visible in winter, .....a brush pile on end.

Lucky p, I would have chosen Nyssa sylvatica hands down over a Chionanthus in a New York second.
Mike

to each his own and they are both nice trees in my opinion but they usually need some restructuring if you want them to be arborescent. i think the native one is a fine looking tree in all seasons.
i have posted these pictures of my c. virginicus before but perhaps they deserve another look after reading the not-so-glowing comments. spring show can be outstanding, fragrance is strong and sweet, bark is silvery during winter, some years the leaves exhibit better color (as can be true with other species). i happen to like the winter silhouette. i think a sunny site is the key to the development of branch stucture and flowering.
i gave a c. retusus to a friend as a gift and, if i had not pruned it for her, it would be a dumpy mound with white spring flowers and nicely exfoliating bark (i read this trait disappears as it ages), absolutely no discernable fragrance to me and green-to-brown fall transition.
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{{gwi:459702}} "tiger tree" :-)

if you don't prune them when young, they are apt to look like this c. virginicus with superfluous flowers and shapeless mounding habit.
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Jeff, after what you just posted, maybe I made a mistake. Those are nice pictures. Mine never flowered very much. Very scattered blossoms. I didn't prune it for shape either. Quick judgment can be wrong at times because it's quick.

I'd still have to put up with the leaves coming out real late in the spring though. That's the part that still bugs me. In my scheme of things, it doesn't fit.
Looks like I talked myself into a conclusion!
Mike

Love my Nyssas - and they have their place in my landscape.
But I also love my C.virginicus - have wanted one since I was 8; probably should have done some pruning, as Jeff indicates, in its 'formative years', but I didn't; it's lovely anyway.
Still would like to put in a C.retusus, and will do so at some point.