What hardiness zones is Styrax japonicus suitable for?

Styrax japonicus is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Styrax japonicus?

Styrax japonicus requires Part Sun.

How much water does Styrax japonicus need?

Styrax japonicus has Medium water needs.

Styrax japonicus, Japanese snowdrop tree

1 / 14

Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Styrax japonicus

Japanese snowdrop tree

StyracaceaeJapan, Korea, China

At a Glance

TypeTree

HabitSpreading

FoliageDeciduous

Height20-30 feet (6-9 m)

Width20-30 feet (6-9 m)

Maturity15 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Deer Resistant

Fragrant (light)

Maintenancevery low

Overview

Styrax japonicus is a deciduous small tree reaching 20-30 feet (6-9 m) tall with a spread of 20-30 feet (6-9 m), developing a broadly rounded to wide-spreading crown with distinctly horizontal to slightly pendulous branching — a key architectural feature. Bark is smooth, gray-brown, becoming finely fissured on older trunks. Leaves are alternate, simple, elliptic to ovate, 1.5-3.5 inches (4-9 cm) long, dark green, glossy, with a fine serrate margin. Fall color is yellow to yellowish-red, variable and not a strong feature. Flowers are white, bell-shaped, 5-petaled, 0.75 inch (2 cm) across, with prominent yellow stamens, pendulous, borne in clusters of 3-6 along the underside of horizontal branches in late May to June. The flowers hang below the foliage and are best viewed from beneath — a key siting consideration. Fragrance is light and sweet. Fruit is a small, egg-shaped, gray-green drupe, 0.5 inch (13 mm) long, persistent into fall. Growth rate is moderate at 12-18 inches (30-61 cm) per year. The horizontal branching creates an elegant layered silhouette. Low-branching habit allows close-up flower viewing. The Pacific Northwest provides ideal growing conditions with cool, moist summers and acidic soils. A Great Plant Picks recommendation.

Native Range

Native to Japan, Korea, and China, occurring in moist forests and forest margins at low to moderate elevations. Introduced to Western horticulture in 1862.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen, patio tree, or understory tree where the pendant flowers can be appreciated from below, spaced 15-20 feet (4.6-6 m) from other trees. Particularly effective planted uphill from a viewing point, beside a path, or overhanging a patio or deck. The horizontal branching creates a distinctive layered canopy. Combines well with rhododendrons, azaleas, and woodland perennials. 'Pink Chimes' offers pink flowers. A Great Plant Picks recommendation.

How to Identify

Identified by distinctly horizontal branching, small pendant white bell-shaped flowers with yellow stamens hanging beneath the foliage, and glossy dark green elliptic leaves. Distinguished from Styrax obassia by much smaller leaves (1.5-3.5 vs 4-8 inches), horizontal (not upright) branching, and flowers in small clusters (not long racemes). Distinguished from Halesia (silverbell) by smaller flowers and horizontal branching habit.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 30'

Width/Spread20' - 30'

Reaches mature size in approximately 15 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Pendant white bell-shaped flowers with yellow stamens appear in late May to June, lasting 2-3 weeks. Flowers hang from the underside of horizontal branches and are best viewed from below or at eye level. Light, sweet fragrance. Flowers attract bees. Small gray-green drupes follow, persisting into fall.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White with yellow stamens

Foliage Description

Dark green, glossy

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial 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

loampeat

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-8 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water regularly; consistent moisture is important, particularly during the first 3-5 years. Mulch 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) with organic matter. Plant in part shade to full sun; afternoon shade is beneficial to prevent leaf scorch. Requires acidic, moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Protect from hot, drying winds and reflected heat. Site where the pendant flowers can be viewed from below — on a slope, beside a path, or near a seating area. Essentially pest- and disease-free in the Pacific Northwest.

Pruning

Minimal pruning needed. Establish branch structure in youth; the naturally horizontal branching is the primary architectural feature and should be preserved. Remove crossing, dead, and damaged branches in late winter. Maintain as a low-branching tree to allow close-up viewing of pendant flowers. Avoid raising the canopy too high, which removes the flower display from view.

Pruning Schedule

winter

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic