Carolina Silverbell
Halesia carolina
Also known as: Mountain Silverbell
- Native to:
- United States
iNaturalist: © rarecatsnake (iNaturalist #108548846)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Styracaceae
- Genus:
- Halesia
- Species:
- Halesia carolina
- USDA Symbol:
- HACA3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 1200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Promethea silkmoth (Callosamia promethea)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees, squirrels
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers fertile, organic-rich soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 150–180 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–365 days
- Notes:
- Seeds exhibit double dormancy requiring warm stratification followed by cold stratification. Germination can be erratic and may take over a year.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are cold stratified for 60 days
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20°C for 3 months, then place @ 4°C for 3 months. Requires scarification. Nick or rub between sheets of sandpaper. Requires soaking. Place in warm water until seeds swell, usually 24-48 hours. Discard water and any seeds that remain floating. * soak in hot water for 24 hours to scarify