Styrax hemsleyanus

RHS Plant Profile
Hemsley snowball
Hemsley snowball RHS 2001

Synonyms

Styrax huanus

Award of Garden Merit
Trees

A medium-sized deciduous tree of open habit with finely-toothed, almost rounded leaves to 13cm in length. White, bell-shaped flowers 2.5cm in width are borne in drooping racemes to 15cm in length in early summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–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
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
China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in moist, humus-rich, fertile soils but shelter from cold drying winds. Well-suited to a woodland garden

Propagation

Propagate from seed sown at 15°C reducing the temperature to 0 to 5°C after 3 months. Propagate by softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • 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