Styrax japonicus 'Fargesii'

RHS Plant Profile
Japanese snowbell 'Fargesii'
Award of Garden Merit
Trees

A deciduous tree, up to 10m high, with oblong, glossy green leaves turning yellow or red in autumn. White flowers, with bright yellow stamens, hang down from the undersides of branches in early summer and midsummer, are followed by small round green fruits. This cultivar has larger leaves and flowers, and is more robust and tree-like than is typical for the species

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Styracaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus
Styrax can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with simple, alternate leaves and nodding bell-shaped, fragrant white flowers in spring or summer
Name Status
Accepted
Plant Range
China, Japan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moist but well-drained, fertile, humus-rich neutral or acidic soil, in full sun or partial shade, with shelter from cold drying winds, for example in a woodland garden

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility