Styrax japonicus (Japanese snowdrop tree)

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Styrax spp.

snowbell

Styracaceae East Asia, Americas, Mediterranean

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Fragrant (light)

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 5–8

Overview

Styrax spp. is a genus of about 130 species of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs in the family Styracaceae, native to warm-temperate and tropical regions of eastern Asia, the Americas, and the Mediterranean. Known as snowbells or storax, the plants grow from large shrubs to trees 10-40 feet (3-12 m) tall, with simple alternate leaves and a spreading, often layered branch pattern. In late spring and early summer they carry pendulous, bell-shaped white (sometimes pink) flowers, usually fragrant, hanging in clusters or rows along the undersides of the branches. The most cultivated species, S. japonicus, the Japanese snowbell, is grown for its tiered habit and hanging flowers. Drupes follow, ripening to grey-green. Some species, including S. benzoin and S. officinalis, yield the aromatic resin benzoin or storax. Styrax spp. grows in moist, acidic, well-drained, humus-rich soil in full sun to part shade, with shelter from drying wind. It is intolerant of drought, alkaline soil, and waterlogging, and the flowers hang beneath the branches, visible from below.

Native Range

Styrax spp. is native to warm-temperate and tropical regions of eastern and southeastern Asia, the Americas, and the Mediterranean. S. japonicus and S. obassia come from Japan, Korea, and China; S. americanus and S. grandifolius grow in the southeastern United States; and S. officinalis occurs around the Mediterranean.

Suggested Uses

Styrax spp. is grown as a specimen and small shade tree in woodland gardens, lawns, courtyards, and mixed borders for its hanging early-summer flowers and layered branches. Smaller and shrubby species suit shaded borders and patios. It is used where soil is acidic and moisture is reliable.

How to Identify

Identify Styrax spp. by its pendulous, bell-shaped white flowers with five reflexed lobes and protruding yellow stamens, hanging in rows or clusters beneath the branches in early summer. The simple alternate leaves and a tiered, horizontally layered branch pattern, clearest in S. japonicus, help confirm the genus. Rounded grey-green drupes follow the flowers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 40'

Width/Spread10' - 30'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs in late spring and early summer, generally May to June, after the leaves have expanded. The fragrant, bell-shaped flowers hang beneath the branches over two to three weeks. Hard, grey-green drupes ripen through summer and autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

loam peat

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

8-12 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Styrax spp. grows in moist, acidic, well-drained, humus-rich soil in full sun to part shade, with shelter from hot, drying wind. Water needs are medium, and plants are intolerant of drought, alkaline soil, and waterlogging. Soil pH should be acidic to neutral, roughly 5.0 to 6.5. Deciduous species are hardy in about USDA zones 5-8, with evergreen and tropical species needing frost-free conditions. Growth is moderate, and young trees benefit from mulch and a cool root run. A sheltered site protects the early-summer flowers from wind and late frost.

Pruning

Pruning needs are minimal and are done after flowering, removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches and any competing leaders. The naturally tiered form is kept by light thinning rather than heading cuts. Large wounds close slowly, so heavy pruning is generally not done.