Description
Halesia monticola (Carolina Silverbell) Seeds
Zone: 5 to 8.
Native to eastern United States.
The Carolina Silverbell is mostly found in the Appalachian Mountains.
It is a rare find in garden centres and nurseries and should be better know and planted more often. It is a trouble free tree with clusters of pendent, showy bell-shaped flowers in spring. The tree bears four-winged fruits comprising drupes to 2 inches (5 cm) long that mature in autumn. Leaves are elliptic, 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) long and medium green. Well suited in woodland borders or as a backdrop in a garden underplanted with Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Hostas. It prefers moist, rich soil in part shade.
Size: Height 20 to 40 ft; Width 15 to 35 ft.
Germination Instructions
Soak seeds for 24 hours and drain.
Stratification: Seed requires 90 days warm stratification followed by 90 days cold moist stratification at 3° C (37° F) to 5° C (41° F).
- Soak seeds in water for 24 hours.
- Place seeds in sandwich bag(s), with a bit of damp sand or vermiculite to keep moist.
- Keep at room temperature for about 90 days. Occasionally lightly spray water to keep seeds and sand moist.
- Place the bag(s) with seeds in refrigerator for about 90 days.
- After the required time take the seeds out of the refrigerator and sow the seeds in pots 1 to 2 inches deep. Keep soil moist but not wet. Seeds can take up to two years or more to germinate, so be patient and do not throw away any seed that hasn’t sprouted yet.
