Exochorda
Pearl bush
- Height × spread
- 2m – 3m × 2.5m – 3m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Generally available in late Spring & early Summer
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These are grown for their wonderful, shrub encompassing white flowers that come in May. There may be red fruits later and some shrubs have yellow colours before leaf fall. They stand up to 2 metres in height and make quiet looking large mounded shrubs. Exochorda giraldii has pink young shoots. The flowers of Exochorda giraldii var. wilsonii are larger than those of the species. The cultivar Exochorda x macrantha 'Niagara' is a more compact form that stands around a metre in height.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cube, Dome
- Height
- 2m – 3m
- Spread
- 2.5m – 3m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Architectural
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Planting
Prune after flowering
When the plant has flowered, cut all the flowered shoots back to healthy buds that are lower on the stems. When the plant is established, take out a quarter of the oldest branches to the ground at this time.