This very pretty, small tree deserves greater attention among horticulturists. Suitable for small gardens or streets, its dainty bell-shaped flowers are best seen from below. Also known as Mountain Silverbell or Snowdrop Tree. Introduced by 1756.

Native to the central and eastern USA, from North Carolina to Florida, usually as an understorey species in moist hardwood forests, sometimes with conifers, growing alongside Tulip Tree, White Ash, Red Maple and Eastern Hemlock.

Monoecious. Insect-pollinated. Seeds dispersed by birds.

Medium (24m), bushy when open-grown. Bark scaly. Leaves (10-20cm), ovate-oblong, bright green and soon glabrous above, pale grey and sparsely hairy below, minutely serrate, on a 1-3cm petiole. Flowers pendulous white bells with golden anthers around a long style, appearing before the leaves. Fruit an oblong drupe (3-5cm) with four papery wings and a prominent terminal spike, persisting after leaf-fall.

Prefers moist but well-drained, loamy, acid or neutral soils (avoid lime). Cold-hardy to -15°C. Best planted as container-grown stock, since roots dislike disturbance. Shade-tolerant and slow-growing; can be coppiced. Not especially long-lived (100 years) and slow to reach peak flowering (25 years).

In its native range, mammals feed on its seeds. Its flowers provide nectar and pollen for insects.

Generally healthy.

Ornamental, suitable for small-medium gardens. Popular as a honey plant in its native range. Timber is quite soft but has attractive figure, with red-white streaked heartwood, popular for turnery and cabinetry.