Chapter 97 Halesia carolina

97.1 Carolina silverbell

The bell-shaped flowers for which silverbells are named. Link to original image.

97.2 Soil: Moist Deciduous Mix

Ratio: 4 parts bark, 1 part grit

Add-ins: dolomitic limestone (~5 lbs/yd), Tree-Tone (15 lbs/yd)

pH: ~6.5 (slightly below neutral)

Moisture: Average

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, acidic, organically rich soils in part shade. May be grown as a large, multi-stemmed shrub or trained as single trunk tree.

97.3 Light

Routine: full sun to part shade.

Summer: may require mid-day shade.

97.4 Cultivation Notes

Grows well with rhododendrons and azaleas. Does NOT do well in urban air pollution.

97.4.1 Potting & Root Pruning

Repot in spring.

97.4.1.1 Top & Branch Management

Heavy pruning: this tree may form multiple trunks, so choosing one as a central leader when it is in its early years and pruning away the lower branches can help give this a tree form.

Fine pruning: it should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season’s flowers.

97.4.2 Feeding

Fertilize like azaleas.

97.4.3 Pests & Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Susceptible to chlorosis in high pH soils.

97.4.4 Winter Storage

Store in mulch outdoors. Try to place in a shaded area so buds do not break in a mid-winter warm spell. No other special precautions are needed.

97.5 Propagation Notes

Four-winged, brownish, nut-like fruits appear in the fall and often persist well into the winter. I have no experience with propagating these trees from seed. Small trees and seedlings transplant easily.

97.6 Artistic & Styling Notes

I have limited experience trying to grow silverbell. I can say that, unlike many flowering trees, it does not need to reach a specific size to flower. The small one in my collection bloomed freely while still in a 1-gallon pot.

Trees tend to branch low to the ground, making it easier to develop small trees. The flaking bark shows off well in winter.

97.7 Additional Information

97.7.1 Natural History

A full-size silverbell in bloom. Link to original image.

Carolina silverbell is native to Piedmont and foothills of the southeastern US. It is an understory tree with similar growth habits to wild dogwoods. It grows up to 40 feet high and 35 feet wide. White bell-like blooms appear in April. It can have a single trunk, but tends to be shrubby.

97.7.2 In Cultivation

Sporadically available from nurseries specializing in native species. Several cultivars have been established, including a pink-flowered cultivar, a double flowered form, and a larger flowered type.