Melinda Myers

Carolina Silverbell

Botanical Name

Halesia carolina

Min Zone

4

Max Zone

8

Height

30 to 40 feet

Width

20 to 35 feet

Flowers

April-Early May: clusters of white bell-shaped flowers before leafout

Fruit

Drupe: four winged, oblong, persists into winter

Fall Color

Yellow-green

Light

Full sun to part shade

Soil

Moist, well-drained, acidic

Planting & Care

• Transplant container grown material
• Not tolerant of salt or compacted soils
• Tolerant of black walnut toxicity
• Looks its best with a dark background
• Mixes well with rhododendrons

Problems

Chlorosis in high pH soils, twig kill in severe winters

Varieties

• Rosea - pink flowers
• Uconn Wedding Bells - larger flowers on a smaller tree, 20 feet
• Lady Catherine - weeping form
• Crushed Velvet (Halesia carolina 'JFS-PN2Legacy') - smaller leaves with a wavy texture, compact 20 feet tall by 15 feet wide
• Arnold Pink - pink flowered variety