Styrax faberi
A small to mid-sized deciduous shrub with a bushy, branching habit and papery, slightly serrated oval green leaves that are tapered at the tips, and sometimes flushed pink when young. Produces small clusters of pendent, bell-shaped white flowers from late spring to early summer, followed by downy grey seed pods
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green Pink | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green Yellow | Grey Silver | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Styracaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, 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
How to grow
Cultivation
Thrives in moist but well-drained, loamy, acid to neutral soil, in full or afternoon sun. Provide shelter from cold drying winds
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
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Pruning group 1; flowers are produced on the previous year's growth
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
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.