Carolina Silverbell

Description
Scientific Names: Halesia tetraptera, Halesia carolina
Common Names: Carolina Silverbell, Four-winged Silverbell, Silverbell
Plant Type: Small to large deciduous tree.
Height: 20-40 feet can form, but be much larger mountain.
Native Habitat: Halesia grows mostly in the mountains. Growth is best in moist, fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic soils with lots of organic matter. Plants prefer full sun or partial shade on cool, sheltered sites. Halesia transplants well as balled and burlapped or container-grown stock. It can be propagated by seed, root and greenwood cuttings and air layering.
Native Range: Scattered areas in central and southeastern United States, extending west to Oklahoma.
Conservation Status: NatureServe lists endangered Halesia tetraptera as critical in Illinois, and endangered in Alabama and Oklahoma. Officially the species is considered endangered and Illinois Presumed eradicated through Ohio.
Cultivation: Carolina Silverbell can burn sensitive to drought and fertilizer. Give it a moist loamy soil with good drainage, and go light on fertilizer. A mulch can help preserve moisture during dry periods. Direct sunlight increases the flower, but too much sun can cause stress in hot, dry climates. The system can be several strains or trying to grow as a shrub, but can be trained usually in the form of a tree. Seeds need both warm and cold stratification and can be difficult to work with.
Related Species: A similar type is the Two-winged Silverbell (Halesia Diptera), also known as the snowdrop tree. This is a southern species, and it can make a very good alternative in warm climates, but may not survive to the north. Some nurseries sell a special form called magniflora, the bigger and stronger, has flowers. Two-winged Silverbell is slightly smaller than Carolina Silverbell, usually less than 25 meters high. Another similar species, Little Silverbell (Halesia parviflora), which grows along the Gulf coast and could be grown in this region. The flowers are only half as large as that of the other two species. There is also a more distantly related species called Bigleaf Snowbell (Styrax grandifolius). An undergrowth plant with white bell-shaped flowers, it can either grow as a shrub or a tree, and rarely more than 20 meters high. A smaller but similar species known to reach American Snowbell (Styrax americana) to about 10 meters. Each of these could be a good alternative to the Silverbells, where space is limited.
Flowering Time: April-May.

Carolina Silverbell is a deciduous tree native to central and southern United States. It takes its name from the beautiful bell-shaped flowers that hang from the branches in mid spring. These flowers, about 3 / 4 inch long, are usually pure white, but can also be pink. Regardless of color, they have a delicate beauty that no one will forget. The tree grows tall, usually about 30 meters, but a great form known as Mountain Silverbell are able to reach 100 feet. This form is found mainly in the southern Appalachians, is sometimes classified as separate species (Halesia monticola). It has larger leaves and flowers smaller than the form.

The tree can grow in fairly heavy shade, and is usually found in moist soil, often near streams. The leaves are oval and can be in a clear, turn yellow before dropping autumn. The winged fruits are drupes about an inch long, which are sometimes eaten by squirrels. As these stone fruits have four wings, the plant is sometimes referred to as Four-winged Silverbell. It's scientific name, formerly Halesia carolina,has been changed to Halesia tetraptera.

This species is found over a larger geographical area, as far north as West Virginia and southern Illinois, as far west as Oklahoma, and south to northern Florida. But it is spread thinly over much of its range and is becoming increasingly rare in many regions, especially in populated areas. Fortunately, there a number of nurseries propagate and therefore now available to the public. As more and more people plant them in their courts, it should at some point the appreciation it deserves.

Uses
Attractive, small tree or large shrub for the shrub border or woodland garden. Interesting design for the lawn. Grows well with rhododendrons and azaleas. Usually used as a flowering tree.