Halesia tetraptera var. monticola (Silverbell, Snowdrop tree, Mountain silver bell)

Michael's Opinion

This tree is difficult to find in Ontario garden centres but it is well worth the efforts if it can be found. Halesia monticola is a beautiful tree that produces attractive white, bell-like flowers that hang down in profusion from the branches. It can be a focal point or a backdrop in the garden however it must be planted in a sheltered location with protection from winter winds.

Botanical Information

FamilyStyracaceae
GenusHalesia
Speciestetraptera
Varietymonticola
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (deciduous)
ReferencesTree & Shrub Gardening for Ontario. Alison Beck, Kathy Renwald. Canda: Lone Pine Publishing. 2001. Print
OriginA North American native plant to the mid and southern states.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone5–9a
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone5
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)- 23-(- 26)
Temperature (°F)- 20-(-30)
Height6–12 m
Spread6–10 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodMay

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionThis tree is rounded and multi stemmed that doesn’t need to be pruned on a regular basis. It does prefer free draining, slightly acidic soil. It can be planted with an evergreen background or planted where it can be closely observed.
ID CharacteristicBeautiful white bell shaped flowers appear in the spring to early summer and has unique bark. The Halesia monticola also turns to a yellow in the autumn.
ShapeHalesia monticola has a rounded to pyramidal form.
LandscapeHalesia monticola can be used as a specimen tree, woodland gardens, borders and backdrop plantings. It can also be used as a median or boulevard tree although it has no proven urban tolerance.
PropagationRoot cuttings taken in spring, placed vertically in flats of well drained potting mix with the large end pointing up placed in frames over bottom heat. Spring sown seed provides sporadic germination, seedlings should be grown on for several years in the nursery prior to planting out.
CultivationHalesia monticola prefers full sun to partial shade. The soil for this tree should be neutral to acidic and well drained.
PestsThis tree isn’t known to have many problems with pest’s and diseases although there may be occasional problems with leaf spot, wood decay and scale.
HabitatIt is seen in the smoky mountains of South Eastern United States. Which include Tennessee and North Carolina, to Georgia.
Bark/Stem DescriptionThe colour of the bark is grey to brown and black. It is ridged and is marked with a “snakeskin” pattern.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionIt features rose-pink buds that open 2.5 cm long pale pink blooms which fade to white.
Leaf DescriptionThe leaves are about 20 cm long and a light green in colour. When they are young, they are covered in fine soft hairs but once they have aged they become hairless. The leaves are alternate, simple, ovate or elliptic and have a pointed apex and a rounded base. They turn to a pale yellow in Autumn.
Flower DescriptionThe flowers are white and bloom in spring or early summer, before or as, the leaves emerge. They are 2.5 cm long and have a bell shape.
Colour DescriptionThe leaves turn from a pale green to a pale yellow in the Autumn and the flowers turn into a beautiful white in the spring.
Texture DescriptionThe foliage is course, and the bark is ridged.

Photographs