Halesia carolina

Design and InstallationGarden Caregarden TriviaIndoor plantsPlant Health CareUncategorized
Written By Peter Morris

Southern Appalachian Mountains

Introduction

The Carolina Silver Bells !

When this tree blooms it makes a HUGE statement !

Native to the Piedmont and southern Appalachian Mountains of the southeastern United States. It is typically found growing on lower mountain slopes, bluffs, and stream banks. Features drooping clusters of bell-shaped, white flowers which appear in April shortly before the leaves emerge.

Its smaller size makes for a perfect rooftop tree.

Issues

It suffers during drought, so it will need supplemental irrigation. Perfect for a rooftop garden with an irrigation system. 

Carolina silverbell is sensitive to heat so do not place it in a west or southwestern spot in your garden.  Especially if in a container.

Not tolerant of compacted soils this tree will require amending the soil at least once a year.

Leaves can become chlorotic in high-pH soils so keep the soil acidic by using sulfur based compounds in your fertilizer.

Protect it from high winds because its wood is relatively weak and soft.

Varieties

'Arnold Pink'                   Pink flowers

'Crushed Velvet'           Bluish green smaller size leaves with a wavy texture, fine textured branching

'Meehanii'                      Rounded form large shrub to 12' tall; white flowers, leaves coarse and wrinkled

'Rosea'                            Pink flowers but depends on pH

'Silver Splash'                 Green leaves with white or yellow splotches

'Variegata'                     White or yellow variegated leaves

'Wedding Bells'              Smaller rounded form to 20', numerous white flowers that open fully

If you want one in your garden

call us - (718) 392 9404


PLANT SPECIALISTS

GREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 53 YEARS !







Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBA

All photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK

Peter Morris

Peter was born and raised on a beautiful green island in the midst of a tropical rainforest. He was introduced into the world of plants at the age of six when his grandmother, an avid Spanish gardener herself, asked him to help her grow seeds for her pepper garden. He was hooked! By the time he was a teen, he had his own rose and orchid collection numbering in the hundreds. Botany was in his blood, and that is what he set out to study.

His passion brought him to NY in the late seventies to further his education. His tenacity allowed him to work full time at Plant Specialists while he completed a MS in Plant Biology. As a manager at the time he felt unsatisfied with his knowledge of business and business processes. Peter felt compelled to learn, so he then pursued and completed an MBA in Quality Management within a few short years.

Peter’s other passion is teaching. His natural ability is quickly consumed by our staff in all subjects in Botany, Horticulture, and Landscaping. He created an immense reference library of more than 3,500 plants providing an invaluable resource for our staff.

Peter’s breadth of knowledge and wisdom allows him to effectively diagnose the needs of plants. Sometimes just by walking into a garden he can create a prescription that fixes even the hardest issue. He is our Staff Botanist, Diagnostician, and all around Mentor. Recently, he has put his immense knowledge and skills into developing a new department that focuses on Plant Healthcare. As he puts it, “Magic through Science”. The PHC staff that surround him have avidly consumed his teachings. Substantially developing their own plant wisdom, many have taken on difficult plant health issues with spectacular results.

Plant Healthcare has been an instant success with customers! The proper treatment of insects and diseases including Organic methods has made pest control a necessity for every plant. Correcting hormonal imbalances caused by planting in containers or refurbishing soils leached of nutrients by irrigation systems are big challenges PHC has become quite comfortable addressing. The scientific approach to the complex demands of keeping plants healthy in our harsh city environment has made many a customer say WOW!

Next

Will my perennials bloom twice in a season ?