Pearlbush (Exochorda Racemosa) 10 seeds (#271)

Pretty, pearl-white blossoms that rival those of a crabapple fill the spreading, open branches of the common pearlbush in mid-spring. A deciduous shrub native to central and eastern China, it attains a floppy, somewhat unkempt habit in a few years. The starry five-chambered capsules persist on the shrub into winter, adding interest.
Before any leaves emerge in mid-spring, the five-petaled white blossoms cover the branches. Each blossom has five petals and appears on a short stem spike, a raceme. The leaves are oval and matte green with little teeth on the rounded tips. The bark is orangish brown and will be slightly scaly on very old branches. The seed capsules are star-like and linger into winter.
Grow common pearlbush in full sun to light shade in any deep, fertile soil, regardless of pH. Growth is best on moist soils with good drainage. In shallow or highly alkaline soils the growth is particularly scraggy. Tolerant of drought once established, this shrub is low maintenance and easy-to-grow. Consider cutting back branches immediately after flowering to help maintain a more picturesque shrub silhouette. Incorporated this large shrub into a mixed border or as an informal hedgerow or screen at the edge of a property.

Genus - Exochorda
Species - Racemosa
Common name - Pearlbush
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 4 - 8
Height - 10'-15' / 3 - 4.60 m
Spread - 10'-15' / 3 - 4.60 m
Plant type - Large Shrub / Small tree
Vegetation type - Ornamental deciduous
Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral
Soil type - Loam, well drained
Water requirements - Average, moist,, drought tolerant
Landscape uses - Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break
Bloom season - Spring
Leaf / Flower color - Green / White

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Soak seed 24 hours.
2. Cold/moist stratify in moist peat/sand or vermiculite for 60 days.
3. Prepare deep pot for nursery sowing and surface sow. Mist seed into prepared surface. Cover with 2-4 mm of soil or vermiculite.
Keep moist with a plastic cover or something similar. Keep light and warm. Germinates at +20C (68F).
Fast grower and transplants well.