Exochorda x macrantha 'The Bride'

A breathtaking spectacle for late spring, this AGM-winning shrub is rightfully regarded as one of the finest white-flowering plants for a small garden.

Its common name, 'The Pearl Bush', comes from the strings of spherical, pearl-like white buds that adorn the arching branches in spring before opening into masses of large, pure white, paper-like flowers. The weight of the blooms causes the branches to weep gracefully towards the ground, creating a cascading fountain of white that looks spectacular as a standalone specimen or draping over a low wall.

Reaching a manageable height and spread of around 1.5–2m, it remains compact enough for limited spaces. The pale green foliage is fresh and delicate, turning pleasant shades of yellow and orange before falling in autumn. It thrives in a sunny or lightly shaded spot with moist, well-drained soil, though it prefers neutral to acidic conditions and can struggle on shallow chalk.

Barnsdale tip: To maintain that elegant weeping shape and ensure a heavy display of flowers next year, prune this shrub immediately after the blooms have faded in early summer. Cut back the flowered shoots to a strong, lower bud and remove roughly one in five of the oldest stems right to the base to prevent congestion.

March-June flowering. Deciduous. Will succeed in a sunny and well-drained position. 2m x 3m (7' x 10').