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Gerald L. Klingaman
Rosaceae
Exochorda racemosa
Common Pearlbush
Showy clusters of large snowy blooms deck the arching branches of common pearlbush in mid-spring. This large, rounded, deciduous shrub is native to shady hillsides in eastern China.
The dull green, elliptic leaves of this hardy shrub emerge in early spring, shortly before the white, five-petaled, silver-dollar-sized blooms appear. The flowers are borne in 6- to 10-flowered racemes along the outer branches. Five-lobed, turban-shaped seed capsules follow the flowers. The capsules persist long after leaf-fall, adding winter interest.
Grow common pearlbush in full sun to light shade in deep, fertile, acidic to neutral soil. Tolerant of drought once established, this shrub requires little maintenance. Prune after bloom to remove any scraggly growth. This little-known shrub works well in large mixed borders and informal screens and hedges. It is a parent of the more compact and equally showy-flowered 'The Bride'.
9 - 1
5 - 9
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
Shrub
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
10'-15' / 3.0m - 4.6m
Spring, Late Spring
China
Acidic, Neutral
Average
Loam
Drought
Medium
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
Oval/Rounded
Spring
Showy
White
Bronze, Tan
Green, Light Green
Green
Green, Yellow Green
Brown, Sandy Brown
No
Single
Matte
Platy
Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break
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