Best planted in the spring, this plant grows at a medium rate, eventually forming ovate-shaped green leaves that are two to five inches in size. The plant’s bell-shaped flowers hang in clusters; the fruits are drupes with four wings, starting out green but changing to white and eventually a papery brown as they mature and dry out. When it comes to caring for the Carolina silverbell, it has few requirements beyond a slightly acidic soil pH level; accomplish that (and provide it with enough sunlight) and you’re almost guaranteed to have a happy plant that will enliven your landscape for years to come. Additionally, the plant has no serious pest or disease issues.
Light
As an understory tree, Carolina silverbell grows best in a partially sunny spot, though it can also tolerate full sunlight. Your best bet is to find a place in your landscape that receives full sun in the morning but partial shade in the hotter afternoon hours so that the plant can soak in the necessary sunlight (about six hours daily is best) without burning.
Soil
Carolina silverbell prefers organically rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soil that is somewhat acidic—it grows well in conditions similar to those that azaleas and rhododendrons love. If the soil in your landscape is not acidic enough (a pH level around 6.5 is best), you can amend the soil to create the proper environment.
Water
To keep your Carolina silverbell happy, maintain consistently moist soil conditions. If you live in a particularly dry environment, it might be wise to set up an irrigation system, especially when the tree is young. Once established, your Carolina silverbell will be moderately tolerant of drought.
Temperature and Humidity
Carolina silverbell’s native habitat is the moist, protected forests of the lower Appalachian Mountains, so it will do best in an environment that mimics those conditions. Extreme heat and dryness stress the plant especially when it is young.
Fertilizer
Feed your Carolina silverbell with an organic fertilizer at planting time and then again each spring until the tree is fully established. For the amount to use, follow the product label instructions. When the plant is established, supplemental feeding is not necessary.
Types of Carolina Silverbell
There are several different varieties of Carolina silverbells, with most differences being in the color or size of the flowers.
· For pink flowers, plant ‘Rosy Ridge’, ‘Rosa’, or ‘Arnold Pink’.· If you like variegated leaves, look for ‘Silver Splash’ or ‘Variegata’ .
· ‘Wedding Bells’ produces larger and numerous white flowers.
Pruning
This plant can form multiple trunks, so choosing one as a central leader when it is in its early years and pruning away the lower branches will train it into a tree form. As with any tree or shrub, damaged or diseased branches should be removed.
Propagating Carolina Silverbell
You can propagate new Carolina silverbell plants by taking softwood cuttings with the best time to do so being early June. Here’s how:
How to Grow Carolina Silverbell From Seed
If you are trying to germinate seeds, store them first for two to three months in warm, moist conditions between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by a similar period of cold stratification at 34 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit before sowing them in trays filled with seed starting mix. Even with this treatment, the seeds might have difficulty germinating—some gardeners report that the process can take up to two years.
Overwintering
When planted in the proper USDA hardiness zones, Carolina silverbell doesn’t need any particular winter protection. For young trees, several inches of mulch spread over the root zone out to the drip line can provide protection.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Carolina silverbell is quite resistant to pests. It can develop scale if the tree is stressed, dealing with drought, or if the soil pH is too alkaline.
Common Problems With Carolina Silverbell
The only puzzling problem some gardeners might have with Carolina silverbell is a yellowing of the leaves. This can usually be attributed to chlorosis, which occurs as a result of growing in soil that is too alkaline (soil pH is too high). Amending the soil to make it more acidic is necessary to ensure the best health for your Carolina silverbell.
