Shrub - Pearl Bush

Pearl Bush

Botanical Name

:

Exochorda racemosa

Plant Type

:

Deciduous flowering shrub

Seasons

:

Plant in early spring or fall; Blooms in late spring

Sun Level

:

Full sun to partial shade; prefers at least 6 hours of sunlight but tolerates some shade

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

60–70°F (15–21°C); but it can tolerate a wider range of temperatures once grown

Soil Type

:

Well-drained, loamy soil; adapts to sandy or clay soils

Hardiness Zones

:

4–8 (USDA)

Germination

:

Seeds can take several months to germinate due to dormancy; propagation is mostly done by softwood cuttings

P.H. Level

:

Neutral to slightly acidic (6.0–7.5)

Water/Irrigation

:

Moderate water needs; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged

Fertilization

:

Apply a balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio around 10-10-10 in early spring

Habit

:

Arching, irregular, multi-stemmed, upright; forms a rounded, bushy shape

Propagation

:

Softwood cuttings, seeds

Final Plant Height

:

10–15 ft

Spread

:

10–15 ft

Flowers

:

Pure white, five-petaled blooms; buds resemble pearls before opening

Attracts

:

Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

Uses

:

Specimen planting, shrub borders, mixed hedges

Companions

:

Lilacs, spireas, hydrangeas, and flowering dogwoods

Pruning

:

Prune immediately after flowering to shape the plant and encourage new growth

Toxicity

:

Non-toxic to humans and pets

Pests

:

Generally pest-free; occasional issues with aphids or scale insects

Diseases

:

Rarely affected by diseases; possible powdery mildew in high humidity

Fun Fact

:

The Pearl Bush gets its name from the pearl-like appearance of its buds, which line the branches and resemble a string of pearls before bursting into bloom

Additional Info

:

Since it blooms on the previous year’s growth, it’s best to wait until the current flowers have faded before pruning, using them as a guide for how much to trim.

Botanical Name

:

Exochorda racemosa

Plant Type

:

Deciduous flowering shrub

Seasons

:

Plant in early spring or fall; Blooms in late spring

Sun Level

:

Full sun to partial shade; prefers at least 6 hours of sunlight but tolerates some shade

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

60–70°F (15–21°C); but it can tolerate a wider range of temperatures once grown

Soil Type

:

Well-drained, loamy soil; adapts to sandy or clay soils

Hardiness Zones

:

4–8 (USDA)

Germination

:

Seeds can take several months to germinate due to dormancy; propagation is mostly done by softwood cuttings

P.H. Level

:

Neutral to slightly acidic (6.0–7.5)

Water/Irrigation

:

Moderate water needs; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged

Fertilization

:

Apply a balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio around 10-10-10 in early spring

Habit

:

Arching, irregular, multi-stemmed, upright; forms a rounded, bushy shape

Propagation

:

Softwood cuttings, seeds

Final Plant Height

:

10–15 ft

Spread

:

10–15 ft

Flowers

:

Pure white, five-petaled blooms; buds resemble pearls before opening

Attracts

:

Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

Uses

:

Specimen planting, shrub borders, mixed hedges

Companions

:

Lilacs, spireas, hydrangeas, and flowering dogwoods

Pruning

:

Prune immediately after flowering to shape the plant and encourage new growth

Toxicity

:

Non-toxic to humans and pets

Pests

:

Generally pest-free; occasional issues with aphids or scale insects

Diseases

:

Rarely affected by diseases; possible powdery mildew in high humidity

Fun Fact

:

The Pearl Bush gets its name from the pearl-like appearance of its buds, which line the branches and resemble a string of pearls before bursting into bloom

Additional Info

:

Since it blooms on the previous year’s growth, it’s best to wait until the current flowers have faded before pruning, using them as a guide for how much to trim.

Written by Nondiah Khalayi – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nondiah-khalayi/