Common Pearlbush Exochorda racemosa
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Exochorda giraldii
- Phonetic Spelling
- ek-so-kor'duh ray-sem-OH-zuh
- Description
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Pearlbush is a loose, upright, spring-flowering deciduous shrub in the Roseaceae (rose) family. It is as broad as it is high, with a tolerance for heat and drought. The plant typically reaches a height of 10 feet but can go as high as 15 feet. It is a dependable, tough plant that leaves out early.
It grows well in sun and prefers rich, well-drained, acidic soil, although it does well in more average soil and will tolerate alkaline soils and partial shade. It has slender branches and tends to have a loose, or unkempt, appearance with age. The flowers in spring are white and pearl-like, hence the common name Pearlbush.
It can become overarching and floppy, but it can be severely pruned to rejuvenate. However, because it blooms on the previous year's growth, you should wait until the current blooms are spent before pruning and use that as a guide to how much to remove. It is reported to be invasive in some states but is not currently listed as such for North Carolina.
The plant is most suitable for borders, hedges, or foundation plantings. Dwarf forms make excellent bedding plants. Once established, it has a reputation for being tough and adaptable but choose its location wisely because its taproot can make transplanting difficult..
Quick ID Hints:
- White, 5-petaled flowers on pins; buds pearl-like
- Leaves are mucronate and entire below midsection
- Fruit is persistent green-brown, top-shaped, dehiscent capsule
- Some leaves 'batman-like' with tooth on either side of apex
Insects, Diseaes, a nd Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Exochorda x macrantha
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Exochorda x macrantha
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Exochorda
- Species:
- racemosa
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central Asia and Southeastern China
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Broad
- Erect
- Rounded
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Persists on plant. A dehiscent, 5-valved capsule, green turning to brown, less than 1/4" wide.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- White showy flowers resemble pearls bloom in April for about 2 weeks. It flowers on previous season's growth so consider this when pruning. Flowers give way to brown dehiscent seed capsules. Racemous, on pins at ends of branches from previous year's growth, 3-4.5" long. (6-10) white, unscented, 5-petaled, ca 1.5".
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cuneate
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Medium green leaves, 1 to 3 inches long and half as wide, with no significant fall color. Alternate, simple, elliptic-oblong to obovate, mucronate, cuneate, serrate toward apex or entire, sometimes with two teeth evenly spaced (like ears) from apex, medium green above and whitish beneath, glabrous. Leafs out in the spring.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Orange
- Surface/Attachment:
- Scaly
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Round, slender, brown, covered in lenticels and longitudinal fissures.
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Landscape:
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
