Snowbell Tree Halesia carolina
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Halesia carolina var. monticola
- Halesia carolina var. parviflora
- Halesia monticola
- Halesia tetraptera
- Phonetic Spelling
- HAIL-see-ah kay-roh-LEE-nah
- Description
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Carolina silverbell is a native North Carolina flowering tree in the storax family (Styracaceae). It is most commonly found in the Great Smoky Mountains but extends throughout the mountain regions and into the upper Piedmont. The genus name honors Stephen Hales (1677–1761), an English clergyman, inventor, physiologist and botanist. The species epithet refers to the Carolinas, where this plant was first collected by botanists.
Carolina silverbell is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. It prefers moist, acidic, organically rich soils in part shade. It has an irregular, spreading, open crown and yellow fall color. It suffers during drought, so it will need supplemental irrigation. Carolina silverbell is sensitive to heat, drought and soil compaction.
In nature, Carolina silverbell can usually be found in moist slopes, coves, creek-banks, and bottomlands. It can be grown as a large multi-trunked shrub or trained into a small understory tree. The tree rarely reaches more than 80 feet in height with a trunk diameter of 2 feet. It grows large enough for commercial use only in the most favorable locations. Large trees can have very dramatic leaning, twisting trunks. The tree will bloom when it is only a few years old and continue blooming during its life expectancy of up to 100 years. Some horticulturists draw a distinction between H. carolina and H. tetraptera. Both have the same characteristics and are treated here as synonyms, but some contend that H. tetraptera is better acclimated to the more northern USDA zones of 7 and 8.
It makes an attractive specimen plant for a lawn or in a shrub border or woodland garden and is occasionally planted as an ornamental. It can be used in a rain garden. It also looks attractive planted with rhododendrons and azaleas.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems, though not tolerant of salt or compacted soils. Leaves can become chlorotic in high-pH soils. Carolina Silverbell should be protected from high winds because its wood is relatively weak and soft.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Arnold Pink'
Pink flowers - 'Crushed Velvet'
Bluish green smaller size leaves with a wavy texture, fine textured branching - 'Meehanii'
Rounded form large shrub shrub-like to 12' tall; white flowers, leaves coarse and wrinkled - 'Rosea'
Pink flowers but depends on pH - 'Silver Splash'
Green leaves with white or yellow splotches - 'Variegata'
White or yellow variegated leaves - 'Wedding Bells'
Smaller rounded form to 20' , numerous white flowers that open fully
- 'Arnold Pink'
- 'Arnold Pink', 'Crushed Velvet', 'Meehanii', 'Rosea', 'Silver Splash', 'Variegata', 'Wedding Bells'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Arnold Pink'
Pink flowers - 'Crushed Velvet'
Bluish green smaller size leaves with a wavy texture, fine textured branching - 'Meehanii'
Rounded form large shrub shrub-like to 12' tall; white flowers, leaves coarse and wrinkled - 'Rosea'
Pink flowers but depends on pH - 'Silver Splash'
Green leaves with white or yellow splotches - 'Variegata'
White or yellow variegated leaves - 'Wedding Bells'
Smaller rounded form to 20' , numerous white flowers that open fully
- 'Arnold Pink'
- 'Arnold Pink', 'Crushed Velvet', 'Meehanii', 'Rosea', 'Silver Splash', 'Variegata', 'Wedding Bells'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Halesia
- Species:
- carolina
- Family:
- Styracaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native ornamental. Heartwood is soft and cherry-colored streaked with white while the sapwood is cream-colored. When large enough, it is cut for lumber and used as a substitute for cherry.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- East Central to Southeastern United States
- Distribution:
- West Virginia to Ohio to Oklahoma and Illinois, south to Florida
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts hummingbirds, and supports 7 different species of lepidopteran caterpillars including the Promethea moth. It is a host plant for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Mourning Cloak, Eastern Comma, Red-spotted Purple, and Viceroy butterflies. Buds and flower clusters are eaten by birds. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators enjoy the nectar from the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- fire in the landscape.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 25 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Irregular
- Multi-trunked
- Open
- Pyramidal
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- 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)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- 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 Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- A 1 to 2 inch, oblong 4-winged dry drupe with one hard seed which starts out green with a dark point at the base and turns brown persisting and providing winter interest. In North Carolina, fruits are available from August to September.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- White, tinged with pink, pendulous perfect, bell-shaped flowers, 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch long, in drooping clusters of 2 to 5 blooms from late April to May. Four sepals form a cup with four prominent ribs, and the four petals are fused at the base. They appear in spring with the unfolding leaves. Flowers appear on second-year growth. In North Carolina, flowers are available from March to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves appear at the same time or just after bloom. They are finely toothed, dull, dark green above, ovate-oblong 2 to 5 inches long with rounded base and acute apex. Pubescent below and they turn yellow in the fall but drop early.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Light Gray
- Orange
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Ridges
- Scaly
- Bark Description:
- Young bark is gray with vertical dark fissures that make it appear striped. Mature bark is scaly, ridged, and furrowed with reddish-brown bark appearing underneath. It separates into scales that strip off as the tree grows older.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Branching is irregular and begins low on the trunk. Second-year stems appear stringy. Twigs are brown and smooth, while young shoots are light green and pubescent.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Native Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Fire
