Styrax formosanus var. formosanus

RHS Plant Profile

Taiwanese snowbell

Shrubs Trees

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A deciduous shrub or tree, with elliptic, dark green leaves, coarsely toothed or sometimes lobed at the tips. Clusters of fragrant, pendent white flowers are produced at the tips of the stems in late spring and early summer. Grown as a shrub this species can reach around 3m, or as a tree up to 9m high

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Neutral or Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

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: Correct
Plant Range: SE China, Taiwan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, neutral to acid, moist but well-drained soil, in sun or part shade with protection from strong winds and hard frosts. An attractive specimen tree for warmer regions

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by softwood cuttings in summer, or by grafting in winter. Seeds require a period of warm followed by a period of cold to germinate

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Minimal pruning required, see 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