Pearl bush
Exochorda racemosa · Rosaceae
📷 KENPEI · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around pearl bush and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- April to May
- Flowers
- White, in dense clusters
- Adult size
- Approximately 3 m tall and 2.5 m wide
- Growth
- Moderate to fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -15°C)
- Origin
- China
- Soil type
- Well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Exochorda bursts into white flowers in spring: to achieve this, prune it right after flowering (May-June), removing tired wood. Without regular pruning, flowers gradually disappear.
The common mistake
Skipping pruning or pruning in autumn reduces the following spring's flowering.
The pro's trick
Prune it every year in late May-early June: remove 1/3 of the old flowering wood and open up the center.
Care
Sunlight and Exposure
Your exochorda thrives in full sun for optimal and abundant flowering. It tolerates partial shade but flowers less abundantly. Plant it in a clear location, sheltered from strong winds that could damage its flexible branches and delicate flowers.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year to establish a good root system. Once established, exochorda tolerates moderate drought well thanks to its average water needs. During active growth (spring-summer), keep the soil slightly moist; in autumn and winter, space out waterings.
Soil and Planting
Prepare well-drained soil that is neutral to slightly acidic. Adding potting soil at planting encourages rooting. Avoid overly compact or chalky soils that slow growth. Light mulching at the base helps retain moisture and regulates soil temperature.
Pruning and Shaping
Prune lightly after flowering (May-June) to maintain a harmonious shape and encourage branching. Remove dead wood and crossing branches. Light pruning every 2-3 years is sufficient; this plant requires minimal intervention and naturally produces an elegant silhouette.
Fertilization
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring, before flowering, to stimulate flower production. A flowering shrub fertilizer applied according to directions is plenty. Avoid excess nitrogen, which would promote foliage at the expense of flowering.
Health and Prevention
Exochorda is generally very hardy and rarely prone to disease. Watch for scale insects and aphids in case of water stress. Good drainage and crown aeration prevent fungal problems. Inspect foliage regularly and treat any pest outbreaks promptly.
Did you know?
Exochorda, native to China's forests, long remained unknown in Europe before being introduced by botanist-explorers in the 19th century. Its scientific name Exochorda literally means "cord outside," referring to the characteristic arrangement of its stamens. Its spectacular white flowers in April resemble floral frost and mark the arrival of spring in temperate gardens.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.