Silver-Bell Tree, Carolina silverbell, Mountain silverbell
Halesia carolina

Family: Styracaceae

What it is like

Halesia carolina is a deciduous Tree growing to 8 m (26ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 8

Where it is found

Moist woods along the sides of streams in the mountains.

South-eastern N. America - Virginia to Florida, west to Oklahoma.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

The ripe fruit is chewed for its acidity. Unripe fruits are sometimes pickled.The fruit is about 4cm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

Wood - soft, light, close-grained. It weighs 35lb per cubic foot. Trees occasionally grow large enough for saw timber and are then cut and used for panelling and cabinet making.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Prefers a sunny sheltered position and a deep moist sandy soil. Succeeds in most moist soils and in most positions so long as they are well-drained. Requires a lime-free soil. Dormant plants are hardy to about -25°c. A very ornamental plant, it has a moderate rate of growth and lives about 100 years. It can flower when only 1.2 metres tall. The flowers have a delicate sweet perfume. The sub-species H. tetraptera monticola forms a tree about 24 metres tall. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. It takes 18 months to germinate. Warm stratifying the seed for 2 - 3 months at 14 - 25°c then cold stratifying for 2 - 3 months at 0 - 5°c can reduce the germination time. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of greenwood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, May/June in a frame. Roots in 28 days. A fair percentage. Layering in early spring as the buds break. Takes 12 months. High percentage.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

H. carolina.