Styrax japonicus Japanese snowbell

We like offering less usual plants which are beautiful and fully hardy at the same time (we are in zone 6).

This Japanese snowbell is one of them. It is a graceful, spreading, deciduous tree with almost horizontal branches that form nearly a flat canopy when mature. Its main attraction are undoubtedly the numerous flowers that are borne along the undersides of the branches in June. They are snow white, bell-shaped, and hang on short stalks underneath the leaved branches. Leaves are glossy, ovate to elliptic, mid to dark green, turning yellow or red in autumn.

Grow it as a specimen shrub or in a mixed border with lower shrubs. It is usually pest and disease free. It needs moist, acidic soil, humus-rich soil. A location protected from drying winds is preferred. Fully hardy to -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 04-01-2009.