Tree Categories: Flowering Trees and Ornamental Trees
Mature Tree Height: 20-40 feet tall | Mature Tree Width: 20-30 feet wide
Tree Growing Zones: Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, and Zone 8
The Carolina Silverbell (Halesia tetraptera) is a medium-sized flowering ornamental tree. It is known for its mid spring bloom of stunning small, white bell-shaped flowers that appear in clusters of 2-5 and have a drooping appearance. They emerge a little before or at the same time as the fine-toothed, dark green-yellowish leaves. These leaves turn a subdued yellow in the fall as the 4-winged green fruits ripen and stay on the tree into the winter. It has an irregular, broad and rounded form.
The Carolina Silverbell is native to the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina over to Tennessee and down to Georgia. In the wild, it is most often found as an understory tree on moist slopes, creek and stream banks, and bottom lands. It is a nice tree in the landscape as a specimen tree in a lawn or garden and can also form a very attractive hedge border. It looks very nice planted near rhododendrons and azaleas. It does best in partial to full sun but will need partial sun in drier climates and ample water. Prefers moist soils.
