A short allee of snowbells form the entrance of our formal rose garden. The small size and dainty texture of the trees standout against the Japanese Privet hedge that surrounds the rose garden. In late spring, weeks after other flowering trees have given up their blossoms, the delicate white flowers of the snowbell trees appear and perfume the air with their fragrance. Passing through the snowbell lined allee into the rose garden full of buds and blooms provides an olfactory and visual treat. The snowbell trees continue to look good all summer and into the fall and winter. Their horizontal branching gives them a unique form, and fissures in their gray bark reveal an orange inner layer that provide winter interest. This is a lovely tree for a patio, used as a specimen, or in a small group, placed so that the fragrance and delicate nature of the flowers can be appreciated close-up. Styrax are fairly easy to grow but can suddenly die for no apparent reason.
Type: Deciduous tree.
Outstanding Feature: Fragrant white flowers in late spring.
Form: Round.
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate.
Bloom: Pendulous clusters of small, white to pink, open bell-shaped flowers are produced in late spring.
Leaves: Dark lustrous green, oval, 3” long leaves; may turn yellow with reddish caste in autumn.
Size: 15-30’ H x 15-30.
Light: Full sun, part shade.
Soil: Organically rich, moist well-drained, acidic.
Hardiness: Zones 6-8.
Pests and Diseases: None of significance.
Propagation: cuttings; seed (double dormancy required).
Outstanding Selections:
‘Angyo Dwarf’ (10’ H; white flowers)
‘Carillon’ (weeping, 12” H; less floriferous than species)
‘Pink Chimes’ (pink flowers; less fragrant than species)
Karen Meyers