May Plants of the Month: Halesia tetraptera (H. Carolina, H. monticola) – Carolina Silverbell
Want to add a beautiful flowering tree for mid-May? One that people will take notice of in spring, and other seasons too? Consider the Carolina Silverbell — Halesia tetraptera (H. Carolina, H. monticola).
Sure, so many trees are abloom at this time of year that many get overlooked but this tree is special: smallish (1/2 – 1” long) bell-shaped white or pinkish flowers appear in clusters, hanging in supple, shimmering arrangements that are showy and unusual.
The flowers are most noticeable when the tree is sited adjacent to an evergreen backdrop, not an uncommon locale for this understory tree that prefers a sheltered spot in the garden.
The yellow-green leaves persist well into the fall season, without any super fall show, but as they drop reveal an interesting ovoid, 4-sided winged fruit that persists throughout the winter months.
The tree reaches a height of 30’ or more, with a similar spread, and can be single or multi-stemmed. As the tree matures the bark develops a striking pattern of gray, brown and black stripes. Plant this tree as a specimen or in small groves. Site within well drained, moist, acid (forest-like) soils for best results.
A native tree to the Southeastern US, Halesia is hardy to zone 5
Fothergilla gardenia – Witch Alder
Fothergilla gardenia is a low maintenance deciduous shrub in the Hamamelidaceae (witch-hazel) family that is native to the coastal plains of the southern United States.
Though it grows best in rich moist, slightly acidic, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun to partial or dappled shade (In the wild, it grows in wet savannas, pocosins, baygalls, and bogs), when incorporated into landscape settings this plant does well in sandy loamy soil, even compacted, droughty soils. Prolific flowers best occur in full sun, but plants appreciate some afternoon shade in hot and dry summer climates. Plants may spread by root suckers to form colonies if suckers are not promptly removed.
The diminutive mature size of Fothergilla gardenia — 3 to 6 feet tall with a width of 2 to 6 feet — makes it a good choice to use as a foundation plant, as a specimen plant in a woodland or cottage garden or grouped in mass to create an informal, low hedge. Over time, if suckers are not removed, it will colonize other areas of the landscape.
The blue-green leathery leaves turn to vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows providing knock out color in the fall landscape depending on the growing conditions.
Witch-alder flowers have no petals; the showy part of its flowers are its aromatic stamens which resemble bottle brushes and emerge before the leaves in the spring. Bees and pollinators are attracted to this honey-scented shrub, making it an ideal addition to pollinator, native, or children’s gardens. Fothergilla gardenia has no significant disease or insect problems.
For those with larger landscape spaces, consider incorporating Fothergilla major, Mountain Witch Alder. In contrast to the smaller Dwarf Fothergilla, Large Fothergilla matures to a height of 12 feet and a width of 10 feet. Large Fothergilla is native to the mountainous regions of the Southeastern United States.
Large Fothergilla does best in full sun or part shade in average, medium moist, well-drained soil, although it is adaptable to various soil types. It prefers acidic, well-drained, moist, soil, with adequate organic matter. It is drought tolerant and seldom damaged by deer. It may spread by root suckers to form colonies if suckers are not promptly removed.
Numerous cultivars are available including ‘Mt. Airy’ and the popular and striking ‘Blue Shadow.’
