Growing the Rare Korean Pearl Bush (Exochorda serratifolia) from Seed

🌱 A Tree That’s Rare, Resilient, and Beautiful

If it doesn’t exist, it’s rare.
If it exists but is precious, it’s noble.
That’s the Korean Pearl Bush.

The Korean Pearl Bush (Exochorda serratifolia) is a rare ornamental tree native to the Korean Peninsula.
Though it forms small colonies in the wild, its natural habitats are limited, and it is now considered a rare species in Korea.

This member of the Rosaceae family is known for its elegant white blossoms, and in flower language, it represents pure love and graceful dignity.

🌰 Sowing Seeds — The Start of a Slow Miracle

In June 2022, I sowed seeds from a Korean Pearl Bush near Cheongju HwaJangSa Temple.
At the time, my farm setup was humble—please forgive its appearance.

By January 2023, I assumed the seeds had failed to germinate.
Almost a full year had passed with no visible progress.

But to my shock, in March 2023—eleven months after sowing—they suddenly began to sprout.
Yes, the seeds had been sleeping for nearly a year!

This photo was taken in April 2023, right at the start of mass germination.

🌿 Potting, Growing, and a Forest of Seedlings

I carefully transferred each seedling into an individual pot.
There were likely over 1,000 seedlings by July 2023.

By August, they had begun to harden and prepare for winter.

Though I didn’t photograph that winter, I can tell you:
The leaves dropped, and the young branches dried out.
But they endured.

In April 2024, we moved our entire farm to a new location, and the Pearl Bush seedlings came with us.
They looked cozy, huddled together in their new pots.

By May 2024, I had repotted them into 9-liter root pots.
Just changing the pot made them look much bigger!

🍂 Dormancy and Renewal — The Rhythm of the Seasons

By October 2024, the leaves were already gone.
I was relieved—less watering was needed, and the trees were entering their dormant phase.

February 2025 brought the crisp cold of winter.
Only dry, brittle branches remained.
I honestly wondered: Will they ever leaf out again?

But by April 2025, new buds began to emerge.

Just look at them—so alive.

🌸 Blossoms, Seeds, and a Rare Tree That Thrives

In early May 2025, they had grown dramatically.
By mid-May, they were lush, full, and even flowering.

Some pots bloomed with elegant white flowers.

And once those petals fell, tiny seed pods began to form.

The seeds aren't mature yet—you’ll have to wait until fall to collect them.
And if you plan to prune, do it early in spring, before flowering and seeding begins.

This is the Korean Pearl Bush.
It’s rare.
It’s local.
And it grows surprisingly well—if you have patience.

I started with seeds from Cheongju, nurtured them for 3 years, and now they’ve bloomed.
I’ve even planted a few in the ground at our new farm.
They rooted well, flowered beautifully, and continue to grow strong.

🔍 Keywords

Korean Pearl Bush
Exochorda serratifolia cultivation
rare ornamental trees in Korea
how long does Exochorda seed take to germinate
Korean native plants for landscaping
slow-germinating tree species
Cheongju HwaJangSa plant seeds

🌳 Want to explore more rare native plants of Korea?
Check out how I grew lettuce-leaf basil indoors here: 👉 Indoor Gardening with Lettuce Leaf Basil