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Halesia monticola is often confused with:
Halesia carolina Full Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Halesia carolina Full Form
Stewartia malacodendron Stewartia malacodendron
Ulmus alata Ulmus alata

Halesia monticola

Previously known as:

  • Halesia carolina var. monticola
  • Halesia tetraptera var. monticola
Phonetic Spelling
ha-LESS-ee-ah tet-ra-TER-uh mon-TEE-ko-luh
Description

The Mountain Silverbell is a native flowering tree or shrub and is found in the Appalachian mountains of NC. It is easy to transplant and is tolerant of a variety of soil types and urban conditions. This attractive flowering tree casts light shade and produces white to light pink clusters of bell-shaped flowers from April to May. The fall color is an attractive yellow and in winter the exfoliating bark adds additional interest. 

Use this plant as a flowering shrub or train to a tree form. In cultivation, it generally grows 20-40 feet tall making it a great shade tree for smaller lawns. Plant in acidic fertile soil in sun to partial shade. Prefers some afternoon shade. Use in a woodland setting, as an understory tree or shade tree.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems. Becomes chlorotic in alkaline soils.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Rosea'
    Pink flowers
'Rosea'
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#full sun tolerant#interesting bark#white flowers#shrub#native tree#native shrub#spring flowers#fall interest#showy fruits#NC native#multistemmed#native garden#fruits fall#acidic soils tolerant#fantz#deciduous tree#understory planting#exfoliating bark#urban conditions tolerant#partial shade tolerant#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Rosea'
    Pink flowers
'Rosea'
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#full sun tolerant#interesting bark#white flowers#shrub#native tree#native shrub#spring flowers#fall interest#showy fruits#NC native#multistemmed#native garden#fruits fall#acidic soils tolerant#fantz#deciduous tree#understory planting#exfoliating bark#urban conditions tolerant#partial shade tolerant#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Halesia
    Species:
    monticola
    Family:
    Styracaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Appalachia mountains, U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    Tennesee, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio
    Dimensions:
    Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Columnar
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    4-winged green pods mature to brown. 2" long, showy in fall
  • 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:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Pendulous, bell-shaped, shallow lobed, 2-5 per cluster
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblong
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Simple, alternate, elliptic to oblong green 4"-8" long and 2"-4" wide. Yellow fall color.
  • Bark:
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Bark Description:
    Exfoliating bark in winter
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Design Feature:
    Flowering Tree
    Small Tree
    Understory Tree