Halesia Diptera Trees
Halesia diptera, also called American snowdrop, snowdrop trees or two-winged silverbells, are large shrubs or small understory trees native to moist woodlands and swampy regions in the southeastern United States. Their range extends north from Florida to South Carolina and west to Texas. They work well as specimen or patio trees and yield showy springtime blossoms. Unfortunately, they are not well known or widely available in commercial nurseries as of 2011. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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Halesia diptera trees usually grow between 15 and 30 feet tall with a 15- to 25-foot spread. They have a rounded form, multiple trunks and drooping, thorny branches. These trees are deciduous; their yellowish-green foliage changes to yellow in autumn. The simple, alternate, oval-shaped leaves range between 2 and 7 inches in length and have serrated margins. Pale pink or white, drooping bell-shaped blossoms appear in the spring, followed by two-winged tan or yellow dry fruits.
Similar Species and Cultivars
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Halesia carolina (also called Halesia tetraptera) or Carolina silverbells, is a closely related species. These trees grow from Florida to West Virginia, Arkansas and Kentucky. Like Halesia diptera, they produce large numbers of attractive white blossoms. The North Carolina State University website indicates that this tree is less drought tolerant than Halesia diptera, however, and suggests that Halesia diptera yields a more attractive display of blossoms. Halesia diptera "Magniflora," a naturally occurring cultivar, yields especially large and abundant flowers.
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Cultivation
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Two-winged silverbells are cold hardy in United States Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 6 through 9. They prefer well-drained, moist, nutrient-rich acidic soil and partial shade. They are moderately drought tolerant; the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center notes that the Halesia diptera "Magniflora" cultivar is more drought resistant than the standard species. Mulch these trees below the canopy to maintain soil moisture levels, and plant them in locations where they are protected from harsh winds and all-day sunlight.
Propagation and Care
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Halesia diptera trees propagate by seed. The seeds will only germinate if they are exposed to a cold, moist period, called stratification, that softens the seed coat. These trees also propagate by layering or by cuttings, but the cuttings may have difficulty taking root. Do not transplant cuttings until they show springtime growth. Halesia diptera trees have no known disease or pest problems as of 2011, and require little care beyond occasional pruning to establish and maintain their form.
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