Styrax japonicus

RHS Plant Profile

Japanese snowbell

Other common names

snowflake flower

Trees

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An elegant medium-sized deciduous tree with spreading branches with finely-pointed ovate leaves turning yellow and orange in autumn. Bell-shaped white flowers 15mm in width, with yellow stamens, borne in profusion beneath the branches

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, 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

Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or 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): H5

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: Bushy
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: Far East

How to Grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in moist, humus-rich, fertile soils but shelter from cold drying winds

Propagation

Propagate from softwood cuttings in summer or propagate by seed sown fresh at 15°C reducing the temperature to 0 to 5°C after 3 months

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Low Maintenance

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