HALESIA monticola. Silverbell. Southeastern U. S. One of the most enchanting sights I have seen in recent years was that of a group of silverbells flowering on nearly bare branches in early spring, at the U.C. Botanical Garden in Berkeley (visit them sometime!). It is a deciduous tree, growing up to 80’ high in its more robust forms, but probably a quarter of that or less in the bushy, unnamed cultivar at hand. It has ascending to spreading branches with smooth, grey-brown bark, flaking in age. The leaves are broadly oval in outline, up to 4" long and bright green in color. In early spring, small clusters of pendant white ½” bells are borne at every node of the past season’s growth. Their sight is something which makes one feel fortunate to be a gardener. Silverbell thrives in sun or light shade and well drained, somewhat acid soil. It is hardy to about 0^oF.