Exochorda racemosa Snow Mountain - Pearlbush

Exochorda racemosa 'Snow Mountain' is a variety with splendid spring flowering. The entire bush resembles a snow-capped peak, as its dome of foliage is then covered with white flowers. The spectacle begins even earlier, as the swollen white flower buds along the branches resemble strings of precious pearls. Requiring almost no maintenance, this compact and hardy bush thrives in most moist and well-drained soils.

Exochorda is a member of the vast family of Rosaceae, which includes both wild plants from the countryside and ornamental plants such as Sorbaria or Hawthorn (Crataegus), as well as most temperate fruit trees (Apple, Peach...). The Exochorda genus is relatively recent, created in the mid-19th century by the English botanist Lindley, and consists of only four to ten species, and even just one according to some classifications, Exochorda racemosa. This bush was discovered in northern China by the great botanist Robert Fortune and shipped in 1849 to the Standish and Noble nurseries in Bagshot (near London), where it first bloomed in Europe in 1854, causing great admiration. It is also known as Clustered Exochorda. The wild plant forms a bush 3 m tall that grows on shaded slopes at altitudes of 200 to 500 m, in China, Korea, Manchuria, and Central Asia, which explains its cold resistance.
'Snow Mountain' is a selection by Herman Geers from the Spring Meadow nursery, which spans nearly 14 hectares of greenhouses in Michigan (United States). This recent variety (2013) is particularly interesting for its compactness and denser habit compared to the botanical type species. This bush reaches a height of 1.60 to less than 2 m at maturity forming a superb dome without needing pruning. It can therefore easily find a place in most gardens, even the smallest. Its growth is relatively moderate, approximately 15 to 30 cm per year. The branches bear small, 4 to 6 cm long, elliptical to elongated, medium green leaves, borne on short petioles. The first flower buds appear around mid-February and gradually swell, forming what looks like strings of pearls along the branches. Their pearly white colour gives the bush its common name of Pearl Bush. From April, depending on the climate and region, and more generally in May, the immaculate white flowers open and cover the foliage. Measuring 4 cm in diameter, they are grouped in racemes (clusters) of 6 to 10, attracting pollinating insects. The dome of foliage completely disappears under the blanket of flowers, which gives this variety its name ("snow mountain"). In autumn, the deciduous foliage falls to the ground, preparing the bush for potentially harsh winters that it will endure without harm down to -25°C or -30°C.

Exochorda racemosa 'Snow Mountain' is a spring splendour that can be planted in an informal hedge, within a varied border, or even in a large container. Few plants can rival the exuberance of its flowering, so choose to accompany it with other generous bushes. Chinese Azalea 'Demoiselles de Boutiguery Aurora' will hold its own with its star-shaped flowers of raspberry pink tinged with apricot, creating a wonderful colour contrast. Also play with the timing of flowering by including Forsythias, which are also champions of floriferousness that are covered from head to toe with small bright yellow flowers early in the season. And for summer, nothing beats Hydrangeas, which will reward you with their often large and sometimes even giant inflorescences like those of Hydrangea paniculata 'Hercules', which, like your Exochorda, will adapt to most soils.