Exochorda x m. The Bride

Exochorda x m. The Bride

Why buy Me?

• Pretty, pure white flowers
• Arching stems
• Spring colour

Growing Conditions

Light:
Requires full sun to thrive and produce the most abundant floral display. Can tolerate very light shade, but flowering will be reduced.

Soil:
Prefers moist, well-drained soils. Thrives in loamy, sandy, or chalky soil types with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Avoid heavy clay or poorly drained soils.

Exposure:
Performs best in sheltered or moderately exposed positions. Hardy and wind-tolerant once established but benefits from some protection in colder or windy regions.

Drought Tolerance:
Low to moderate. Requires regular watering during dry spells, especially in the first few years. Best planted in areas where soil retains some moisture.

Cultivation & Care

Planting Time:
Best planted in early spring or autumn to allow roots to establish before extreme summer heat or winter cold.

Spacing:
Space 1.5–2 metres (5–6.5 feet) apart when planted as a feature shrub or in mixed borders to allow for natural arching growth.

Watering:
Water regularly during the first growing season. Once established, water during extended dry periods. Avoid waterlogging.

Fertilization:
Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to promote vigorous growth and flowering. Not a heavy feeder but benefits from an annual top dressing of compost or slow-release nutrients.

Mulching:
Mulch with compost or bark in spring to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil structure.

Pruning:
Prune immediately after flowering in late spring or early summer. Remove spent flower stems and thin out old or crowded branches to encourage strong new growth and maintain shape.

Propagation:
Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or hardwood cuttings in late autumn. Layering is also possible but slower.

Seasonal Interest

Spring:
Spectacular display of pure white, five-petaled flowers along arching branches, resembling a bridal veil—typically blooms in April or May. Foliage is light green and fresh.

Summer:
Clean, green foliage forms a neat, arching mound. No rebloom, but plant maintains structural appeal.

Autumn:
Foliage turns soft yellow or remains green before dropping. Not a standout for fall colour but adds a gentle, fading presence to borders.

Winter:
Deciduous. Bare, arching branches add structure and silhouette. Dormant buds prepare for spring bloom.

Wildlife & Garden Use

Wildlife:
Flowers attract early pollinators, including bees and hoverflies. Provides shelter for small birds and insects within its dense branching habit.

Garden Use:
Ideal as a specimen shrub, in mixed borders, cottage gardens, or as part of a flowering hedge. Its dramatic spring flowering makes it a highlight plant. Best positioned where its arching habit and spring blooms can be appreciated—near patios, paths, or garden entrances.

Companion Plants:
Pairs well with spring bulbs (e.g., tulips, narcissus), lilacs, weigela, spirea, and flowering cherries. Contrasts nicely with blue or purple-flowered perennials like geranium, salvia, or nepeta.

Transform your home and garden with Exochorda x m. The Bride —a must-have for any season. Order online now for quick and easy shopping, or drop by your local Thompson's Branch to explore it up close and get personalised recommendations.