Styrax japonicus Japanese snowbell
size/type
taller shrub,taller shrub
usual height
3-5m
usual width
2-4m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
June-June
location
full to partial sun
USDA zone (lowest)
5 (down to -29°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Description of the plant:
We like offering less usual plants which are beautiful and fully hardy at the same time (we are in zone 6). This Japanese snowbell is one of them. It is a graceful, spreading, deciduous tree with almost horizontal branches that form nearly a flat canopy when mature. Its main attraction are undoubtedly the numerous flowers that are borne along the undersides of the branches in June. They are snow white, bell-shaped, and hang on short stalks underneath the leaved branches. Leaves are glossy, ovate to elliptic, mid to dark green, turning yellow or red in autumn.
Grow it as a specimen shrub or in a mixed border with lower shrubs. It is usually pest and disease free. It needs moist, acidic soil, humus-rich soil. A location protected from drying winds is preferred. Fully hardy to -29°C (USDA zone 5).
Last update 04-01-2009.
WANT TO TRY A SIMILAR PLANT?