Fundamental Facts
HARDINESS: Zones 4 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Well-drained, fertile, organic
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Bell-shaped flowers in pink or white; for specimens, woodlands
SEASON OF INTEREST: Spring to fall
FAVORITES: H. tetraptera, H. monticola, H. diptera
QUIRKS: Bark begins to flake on older trees
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Azalea, rhododendron, mountain laurel, viburnum, witch hazel
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: In moist, well-drained soil in partial shade
LONGEVITY: Usually lives more than 40 years
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Ice damage to small limbs
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: 30 ft (9.1 m) tall and 20 ft (6.1 m) wide
Silverbell in the Landscape
Popularly known as Carolina silver-bell, this medium-sized tree makes a charming specimen, especially if you grow it where you can appreciate the rows of bell-shaped white or pale pink flowers that line the branches in late spring. While silverbell is valued primarily for its blossoms, this North American native has other ornamental features. On young trees, the dark gray bark is striped with what looks like white frost nestled between ridges. As the plant matures, the bark flakes slightly, revealing patches of gray and brown. Little egg-shaped, winged fruits appear in fall, turning from green to tan and often clinging to the branches into winter.
Sites for Silverbell
The secret of placing a silverbell in the garden is to find a spot where you can view the flowers either at eye level or from above. When grown in a home landscape, silverbell will reach 30 ft (9.1 m) tall and 20 ft (6.1 m) wide. This is large enough for the tree to be a specimen in the lawn but still compact enough to not take over a yard. Silverbells can mark the end of a path, line a driveway, or create a backdrop for a shrub border, joining beautifully with rhododendron, mountain laurel, and azalea. Because the tree prefers partial shade, especially in the afternoon, it is a good choice for the edge of a wooded backdrop, where its dainty flowers will stand out against the larger forest trees and evergreens. Silverbell will not grow well in a hot, dry location or along a busy street, where it can be poisoned by airborne pollutants. Also avoid siting these trees where they will be exposed to strong winds, which can damage branches.
Other Care-Free Silverbells
There are two other species of silverbell available for the home garden. The major differences between the three species, from a landscaping perspective, is size. Tailor your selection to the space available.
A taller tree growing to 70 ft (21 m) or more, mountain silverbeil (Halesia monticola) is a tree that grows in the higher elevations of the Southeast. The variety 'Rosea' has pale rose blossoms, while H. monticola var. vestita has larger flowers than the species, up to 1 in (2.5 cm) across and they are sometimes flushed with pink.
The two-winged silverbell (H. diptera) is a smaller, spreading tree, with only 2 wings on the fruits instead of the usual 4. H. diptera var. magniflora is a variety with prolific flowers that reach more than 1 in (2.5 cm) in width.
Growing Silverbell
Silverbell transplants easily in either spring or fall. Select a site in sun or partial shade with slightly acid, moist, well-drained soil. Alkaline soil will cause the leaves to yellow. Sprinkle garden sulfur or garden lime in the planting hole, if needed, to adjust the soil pH, following package directions. Disturb the roots as little as possible during planting and set the tree at the same depth at which it grew in the nursery pot. Water well to eliminate any air pockets around the roots and spread a 3 in (7.6 cm) thick layer of organic mulch to reduce evaporation from the soil. Water as needed the first year after planting to keep the soil from drying out. Silverbell grows moderately, and it may take 3 years or more for the tree to reach its mature spread. Once established, however, silverbell needs no special care, has virtually no problems with pests or diseases, and needs pruning only to remove dead or damaged limbs.
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