Exochorda racemosa (pearlbush, "Rikyubai")

Japanese name: リキュウバイ （利休梅）
Scientific name: Exochorda racemosa

[Overview]
A deciduous shrub growing to 3–4 m tall.
The trunks grow in clusters.
The leaves are simple and alternate, elliptic, 5.5–6.5 cm long and 1.5–3.5 cm wide.
The underside of the leaf is tinged with white, and the margin is entire or has serration in the upper half.
The petiole is 5–15 mm long or almost absent.
Racemes arise at the branch tips and bear 6–10 flowers.
The flowers are white and 5-petaled, 2.5–4 cm across.
The petals are round with a claw at the base.
There are 15–20 stamens.
The pedicel is 3–5 mm.
The fruit is a capsule with 5 ridges.

[History]
It was introduced in the Meiji era.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division.
The germination rate of the seeds falls if they are dried, so sow immediately, or store them moist and sow in the following spring.
It prefers sunny, well-drained, moisture-retentive, damp soil.
It cannot be planted in a dry place.
It is hardy and easy to grow, and tolerates hard pruning.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Fertilizer is not particularly necessary, but organic fertilizer may be applied around the base as fertilizer in winter.
Prune during the leafless period.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

View this page in Japanese (日本語)