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May Dreams Gardens

Pearlbush

March 23, 2012 By Carol Michel 13 Comments

Exochorda x macrantha ‘The Bride’

I’d rather have a garden full of flowers than a jewelry box full of jewels.  Give me gold, and I’m likely to sell it to buy more plants.

The first blooms of Pearlbush, Exochorda x macrantha ‘The Bride’,  opened earlier this week.  New to my garden,  this small shrub, endured a long, hot summer trapped in a black plastic pot on my patio two years ago.

I planted it in the garden that fall, then  unceremoniously dug it up and moved it to another spot in the garden early the next spring.  There it suffered through yet another hot, dry summer last year with very little watering.

This spring, the Pearlbush shrub looks a little rough, but it is blooming.

The common name Pearlbush comes from the shape of the tight flower buds, which look like pearls.

Pearlbush is named for its buds

I’m not surprised to read on the tag that this plant thrives on neglect.  I have showered it with neglect for the past two years and it is doing well.

I am good at showering neglect on the plants in my garden. I have that gardening technique mastered, having learned that more plants survive with less care than with more care.

I’ve also learned that you really do want plants that flourish with a bit of neglect, instead of those that barely hang on with lavish care.  You’ll be a happier gardener when you learn this, too.

Pearlbush looks like a keeper, a great addition to my jewelry box of flowers.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: shrubs

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lea says

    March 23, 2012 at 3:07 am

    Very pretty!
    The buds do look like pearls!
    Thanks for introducing a new plant to me as I've never heard of Pearlbush.
    Lea
    Lea's Menagerie

    Reply
  2. Karin / Southern Meadows says

    March 23, 2012 at 11:56 am

    A plant after my heart! I am not familiar with this one but it sounds like it needs a place in my garden. Love the white blooms.

    Reply
  3. Fairegarden says

    March 23, 2012 at 11:58 am

    I am great at showering neglect in the garden, and elsewhere! Pearlbush looks like it needs to be in my jewelry box/garden. Lovely photos of yours…

    Reply
  4. Robin Ripley says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    What a lovely bride! And a pearl of great worth! I would give an eye tooth for such lovely spring flowers.

    Reply
  5. Kathy says

    March 23, 2012 at 1:05 pm

    I am a master of the gardening technique, neglect, too. But it sounds to me like you gave away another gardening secret without introducing it properly. I first saw Pearlbush at Hitch Lyman's garden. There is a mature pearlbush visible in the first photo in that post, on the left. I believe there is a matching one on the right, but it is harder to see. I don't remember if his are 'The Bride' or not.

    Reply
  6. Dee/reddirtramblings says

    March 23, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    That, my friend, is one tough plant. Suffered drought, heat and being dug up. It's a keeper.~~Dee

    Reply
  7. ProfessorRoush says

    March 23, 2012 at 3:50 pm

    New to me as well, but I'll watch for this one. I like neglect-forgiving plants.

    Reply
  8. Lona says

    March 23, 2012 at 6:39 pm

    It is always good to hear about those plants or bushes that can take some rough treatment. It does have lovely blooms Carol. Have a terrific weekend.

    Reply
  9. Gail says

    March 23, 2012 at 11:12 pm

    That's a keeper plant for sure and I love the buds! Neglect is my style and I have a garden named in honor of my Benign Neglect. xog

    Reply
  10. The Bama Gardener says

    March 24, 2012 at 2:08 am

    Now that is a plant I haven't heard of yet! Such beautiful buds.

    So glad my garden thrives on neglect…otherwise I would have nothing but a bunch of brown dead sticks

    Reply
  11. Lynn says

    March 24, 2012 at 2:13 am

    I've never heard of this plant before. It's so lovely!

    Reply
  12. Jean says

    March 25, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    I'm so glad to hear it thrives on neglect! I dug mine up from a spot where they'll quickly be overrun and moved two little plants to much better spots in my garden.

    Reply
  13. Unknown says

    April 7, 2012 at 10:47 am

    After reading your post I found the Pearlbush (Exochorda x macrantha)in Proven Winners catalogue
    and consider purchasing it.
    Hardiness is -30F (Zone 4)
    I am sure it will be a great addition to our garden.

    Reply

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