Pearlbush Snow Day Surprise

by Doug
(In his garden)

Pearlbush is one of those shrubs few people know about except for a brief moment in late spring or early summer when it springs into glorious bloom. And for that moment, it will win your gardening heart before it fades back to green background foliage.

Details

Sunlight: full sun to part shade

Hardiness: USDA zones 4-8

Growth rate: Medium

Height: 3-4 feet

Width: 3-4 feet

Soils: does well in most well-drained soils, does prefer slightly on the acidic side but that's not critical to success.

Flowers: white and the shrub is covered in them in late spring or early summer

Cultural: Nothing special, the plant will respond well to a renovation pruning after blooming (in other words, you can trim and cut off as much as you like to thicken it up and it will easily regrow)

Landscaping: This is a fountain kind of shrub with arching branches when mature and the heavy spring flowering is going to be spectacular on a mature specimen. There is no serious fall color to speak of so the plant is best used as a background or filler plant where it can be enjoyed for its bloom and then used as a foil for other more spectacular shrubs or flowering plants.

Variety: 'Snow Day Surprise' is the marketing name. It is also found as Exochorda 'Niagara'





US readers can obtain the plant here

Canadian readers can obtain the plant here

Doug's Notes

Planted: June 2010. Well rooted in 5-inch pot and cutting healthy and in good shape. Shipped from Garden Import