Exochorda racemosa
Common name: 
Common Pearlbush
Pronunciation: 
ek-so-KOR-da ra-se-MO-sa,
Family: 
Rosaceae
Genus: 
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Deciduous shrub or small tree, 10-15 ft (3-4.5 m) high, upright, slender branches.   Leaves alternate, simple, oblong to obovate, 3-8 cm long, about half as wide, acute and terminated in an abrupt tip, entire, or serrate on vigorous shoots, medium green above, whitish below.  Flowers perfect, white, about 4 cm wide, 5-petaled, 3 stamens at the base of each petal; 6-10 flowers per cluster (raceme); flower buds roundish, "pearl-like".  Fruit 5-valved, dehiscent, about 8 mm wide, yellow to brown.
  • Sun to light shade, best in moist, rich loams, good heat and drought tolerance when established, flowers arise on old growth, so prune as needed soon after flowering

  • Hardy to USDA Zone 4       Native to northern China.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • flowering shoots

    flowering shoots

  • flower clusters

    flower clusters

  • flowers

    flowers

  • flower

    flower

  • expanding leaves

    expanding leaves

  • leaves and fruit

    leaves and fruit

  • fruit, before and after seed release

    fruit, before and after seed release

  • bark

    bark