£9.40 – £10.12Price range: £9.40 through £10.12
Exochorda racemosa Blushing Pearl, the elegant Pearl Bush, dazzles with pure white, pearl-like flowers tinged with pink in late spring. This compact deciduous shrub offers fresh green foliage and attracts pollinators, making it a charming and versatile addition to UK gardens.
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This elegant Pearl Bush cultivar brings a touch of sophistication to any UK garden. Originating from East Asia, this vigorous shrub is an absolute joy in late spring. Its unique flower buds resemble strings of pearls, leading to an exquisite floral show. Furthermore, its graceful form and fresh green foliage provide year-round appeal, making it a valuable addition to mixed borders or as a striking specimen plant.
The name Exochorda racemosa comes from Greek words ‘exo’ (outside) and ‘chorde’ (string), referring to its distinctive ovules. ‘Racemosa’ describes its elegant flower arrangement. This particular cultivar, ‘Blushing Pearl’, is aptly named for its charming pink-tinged flower buds and opened blossoms. Native to regions like China and Korea, this Pearl Bush thrives in temperate climates, making it well-suited for UK gardens.
During late spring, typically from April to May, this shrub truly shines in UK gardens. Abundant flower buds appear, resembling strings of delicate pearls along its branches. These buds soon open into pure white, five-petalled flowers. Moreover, the ‘Blushing Pearl’ cultivar often showcases a subtle pink blush, adding extra charm. Each bloom forms a captivating raceme, creating a stunning waterfall effect of blossoms.
The shrub’s medium green, oval leaves emerge fresh and vibrant each spring. They maintain a neat appearance throughout the summer months. Consequently, the foliage provides a calm contrast to the profusion of flowers. Exochorda racemosa Blushing Pearl typically develops an upright, spreading form. Its compact size makes it suitable for various garden settings, even smaller ones.
Gardeners frequently plant this Pearl Bush as a magnificent specimen shrub. It also works wonderfully within mixed borders, adding vertical interest. Furthermore, its dense habit allows for use in informal hedging or effective screening. This beautiful shrub is also highly beneficial for local wildlife. Bees and other vital pollinators are naturally drawn to its numerous spring flowers, greatly contributing to garden biodiversity.
Pruning helps maintain the shrub’s shape and vigour. It is best done immediately after flowering has finished. This encourages new growth for the following season’s blooms. Simply remove any old or weak stems to keep the plant healthy. Overall, this Exochorda offers enduring beauty and makes a superb addition to any garden design.
Very hardy. Tolerates temperatures typical of a continental winter.
Plant Exochorda racemosa Blushing Pearl in well-drained, fertile soil, ideally enriched with organic matter. Water thoroughly after planting and keep the soil consistently moist during its first year to ensure good establishment. Once mature, the plant becomes more tolerant of drier conditions but benefits from watering during prolonged dry spells.
Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser around the base of the plant in early spring to support healthy growth and abundant flowering. Pruning is best carried out immediately after the flowering period concludes in late spring or early summer. Remove any old, weak, or crossing branches to maintain a good shape and improve air circulation. Cut back the stems that have flowered by about one-third to encourage vigorous new growth for the following season’s blooms. Generally, Exochorda racemosa Blushing Pearl is resistant to most pests and diseases. Monitor for common issues like aphids or powdery mildew, especially in dry conditions, and treat promptly if necessary.
This plant is deciduous so it will lose all of its leaves in the autumn and get fresh new foliage each spring.


