We saw – no, the right word is experienced – this frothy Chinese fringetree in bloom in Natchez last year. Each year when it flowers, the people who own it throw a party in celebration. We’d missed the official party, but had a wonderful evening, and I was charmed by the tree. If I remember rightly, they planted it shortly after buying the house and it is ‘only’ around 25 years old.
Since then, I’ve tried to persuade anyone thinking of planting a tree to get a Chionanthus retusus so they can have their own flowering party. As it demands and deserves lots of space, so far I’ve been unsuccessful.
Mississippi’s native fringetree is even larger, looser and airier, in both the form of the tree and the flowers.
Shared for Cee’s Flower of the Day.
Susan Rushton 
When are you coming back? Have you quit this blog? Hope not.
Thanks so much for your concern, Diane. I’ve written a post to explain.