Silverbell

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 87 years. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has several slender, curved stems covered in paper-thin, waxy, silver and white bark, and the wood inside is pale brown-grey.

The branches are very short and thin with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with thick bunches of huge, needle-like, leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are solid white or crimson, with pale blue edges, light and covered in fine hairs.

In mid-spring it produces many clusters of giant, azure blossoms with spear shaped petals with a trumpet-shaped floral cup. They are hardy and have a delicate scent that smells like chocolate.

In late winter oblong fruits ripen. The sticky gentle red skin is tough and sweet, and the crunchy dark grey flesh is very sour and juicy. The yellow seeds are large and are scattered throughout the fruit.