When my fringe tree is in bloom — its snow-white flowers hanging in a 6- to 8-inch long “fringe” from the branches — it makes neighbors stop and ask about this beautiful plant. Chionanthus virginicus, ...

Given the hard freeze of last week, many of us will be outside pruning our damaged tropicals. (For frozen landscape repair, see last week's column.) But while we're outside with the shears, there are ...