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Halesia monticola Variegata

Halesia monticola Variegata
Mountain Silverbell

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Parcel very well protected, with a swift delivery. Satisfied with my order.

francois, 19/01/2020

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

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Value-for-money
Very floriferous, extremely rare and fabulously decorative, this large bushy shrub has deciduous, bright green foliage, edged with cream, turning yellow in autumn. In spring, often before the leaves appear, it is covered in an abundant flowering of large white bells, followed by winged fruit.
Flower size
5 cm
Height at maturity
4 m
Spread at maturity
2.50 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -15°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil, Damp soil
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Best planting time March to April, September to October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
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Flowering time April to May
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Description

Superbly ornamental, very floriferous and rare, Halesia monticola variegata is a deciduous small tree, robust and vigorous, with a bushy growth habit, and its bark is veined with grey and black. It has bright green foliage, edged with creamy yellow, turning yellow in autumn. From April to May, often before the foliage appears, it is covered in abundant spring flowering, with clusters of large white bell-shaped flowers hanging from the branches. In June, winged fruits appear, reaching maturity in autumn and persisting on the tree throughout winter. A beautiful shrub that, when in full bloom, looks like it is covered in artificial snow!

 

Halesia monticola or Mountain Silverbell, more commonly known as Silverbell Tree or Snowdrop Tree, is native to the southeastern mountains of the United States, and belongs to the Styracaceae family. It is a robust and vigorous tree, with a rather slow growth rate, and its crown is broadly conical. Its habit is erect, but it often tends to develop as a multi-stemmed bush, with its branches arching at the ends. In its natural habitat, it can reach heights of up to 12 or even 18 m (59 ft 1 in), with a spread of 8 m (26 ft 2 in), but its size, in our latitudes, rarely exceeds 4 m (13 ft 1 in) in height, with a width of 2 to 3 m (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 10 in). The light brown bark of its trunk peels off in plates, revealing grey and black veins. The Variegata cultivar has deciduous foliage, composed of oval and tapering leaves, fuzzy when young, of a beautiful light green colour edged with creamy yellow, and turning yellow in autumn. In April-May, before or at the same time as the leaves, abundant clusters of hanging bell-shaped white flowers, measuring 1.5 to 3 cm (0.6 to 1.2 in) in length appear on the previous year's wood. They are followed, in July, by characteristic green ovoid fruits, with 4 wings, maturing in autumn and persisting on the bare tree throughout winter.

 

The genus Halesia was named in honour of Reverend Stephen Hales (1677-1761), a British physiologist, chemist, and inventor. A pioneer in experimental plant physiology, he notably observed water losses in plants through evaporation, variations in the absorption power of roots at different times of the day, and the growth rate of shoots and leaves.

 

This splendid variegated-leaved Silverbell Tree, with its bright green foliage, edged with creamy yellow, will illuminate the shady areas of the garden. It will be perfect at the back of a border, planted among a group of shrubs, or under the canopy of large trees. Pair it with colourful foliage trees, such as a Purple Birch, Japanese Maple, Spindle Tree, or Lamarck's Serviceberry. In a shrub border, it will brighten the presence of Camellia, Aspera Hydrangea, Nuttall's Dogwood, Viburnum, Hazel, or Witch Hazel. It can also be planted as a standalone specimen, where its elegant white flowering and magnificent variegated foliage will be ideally showcased.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 4 m
Spread at maturity 2.50 m
Habit spreading
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time April to May
Inflorescence Cluster
Flower size 5 cm
Fruit colour green

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour variegated

Botanical data

Genus

Halesia

Species

monticola

Cultivar

Variegata

Family

Styracaceae

Other common names

Mountain Silverbell

Origin

North America

Product reference7790021

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32,50 € 2L/3L pot

Available in 2 sizes

Planting and care

Halesia monticola variegata is a small, sturdy and vigorous flowering tree. Easy to grow, it doesn't have any diseases, requires no maintenance, and is hardy down to -15°C (5 °F). It prefers a sunny or partially shaded position, sheltered from cold winds, as well as fertile, humus-rich, moist to wet, well-drained soil, with a slightly acidic tendency. It particularly appreciates good humidity and a shaded location, in light soil, but also tolerates slightly chalky and high-altitude soils. Thriving in humid atmospheres, it is recommended to spray the foliage of young plants during hot and dry weather. Planting is best done in autumn to promote root development, but can also be done in spring. Propagation can be done by layering in September, by bending long stems to the ground, which will be separated from the parent plant once well rooted, two to three years later. Halesia monticola does not require any pruning, except for possibly shortening long shoots after flowering, to balance its branches and maintain a beautiful bushy shape.

Planting period

Best planting time March to April, September to October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Back of border, Free-standing
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Damp soil, Humus-bearing and well-drained

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Moist soil, Damp soil
Disease resistance Very good
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