What a fabulous shrub! As soon as I saw the small Exochorda macrantha 'The Bride' today while visiting a garden centre with a friend, I had to have it. It was a little pricey but it was so heavily laden with creamy buds and white blooms that I think it is worth every penny. It's a small shrub and a slow grower, taking 10 years to achieve full height and breadth, but that's fine because I'm a bit short of garden space. I work on the principle that something will probably die at some point and make room. If not, things will just have to budge over a bit, won't they!
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| Exochorda macrantha 'The Bride' - aka Pearl Bush |
For now, I have planted the young Exochorda macrantha into a terracotta pot.
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| Exochorda macrantha 'The Bride' - aka Pearl Bush |
The label says: "This plant/cultivar has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) because it has proved to be reliable in appropriate conditions and a good performing plant." The label goes on to say that it has a mass display of white flowers in late spring to early summer. Mounds of cascading dark green-leaved branches. Ideal for borders. Suitable for sun or partial shade on well drained fertile soul. Height and spread in 10 years - 1.2 to 1.5m x 1.5-1.8m (4-5ft x 5-6ft).
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| Exochorda macrantha 'The Bride' - aka Pearl Bush |
I've been doing a bit of investigation about the pruning of this plant, if necessary. It must be done immediately after flowering has ended as this shrub will flower next year on this year's growth. In this respect it is a bit like the Philadelphus 'Snowbelle' that I also have in my garden.
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| Exochorda macrantha 'The Bride' - aka Pearl Bush |