Styrax: Snowbell
Styrax japonicus and Styrax obassia, commonly known as Japanese and Fragrant Snowbells, are graceful small trees admired for their elegant branching and fragrant, white flowers.
Plant care & info
Family: Styracaceae
Genus: Styrax STY-racks
Common: Snowbell
Native to North and South America, Asia, and Europe.
There are roughly 100 species of shrubs or small trees with 5-lobe flowers of white or pink,with hairy zigzagging new branches and alternate green leaves. Fruit is dry or fleshy drupe with one or two seeds.
Prefers sun to part shade and well-drained, acid soil.
Small trees or large shrubs ranging from 15’ to 30’.
In spring, delicate bell-shaped blooms dangle from branches, creating a charming, pollinator-attractive display. Their lush green foliage provides summer interest before taking on yellow tones in fall, while its smooth bark adds winter appeal.
Explore More Snowbell
Styrax japonicus: Japanese Snowbell
Native to China and Japan. Produces perfectly white, lightly fragrant, bell-shaped flowers that gracefully nod along branches in May. Dark green leaves turn yellow before dropping in autumn. Decorative green fruit follows flowers into summer.
Grows 15-25’ tall and wide with an upright, pyramidal shape. Horizontal branches make a nice canopy. Sun to part shade. Zone 5.
Styrax japonicus ‘Carillon’
A weeping form of Japanese Snowbell with white flowers and somewhat stiff branching that creates a broad shrubby shape. Grows to 8-10’ tall and wide. Sun to part shade. Zone 5.
Styrax japonicus ‘Emerald Pagoda’
Everything about ‘Emerald Pagoda’ is bigger than the species—bigger white flowers, thicker stems, fatter leaves, faster and more upright growth. Sadly, it loses some of its grace in all of that beefiness, but we still like it. Grows to 25-30’ tall and wide. Sun to part shade. Zone 5.
Styrax japonicus ‘Pink Chimes’
Pale pink flowers bloom in May along with thick green leaves. Grows to 15-25’ tall and wide. Sun to part shade. Zone 5.
Styrax obassia Fragrant Snowbell
Styrax obassia
Intensely fragrant, delicate white bell flowers bloom in 4-8 inch chains (racemes) throughout May and June. Dark green leaves are round and larger than those of Styrax japonicus, somewhat covering flowers. It contributes no real fall color, but the springtime scent makes up for it completely. Grows 20-30’ tall and 15-20’ wide with a pyramid shape when young, broadening with age. Sun to part shade. Zone 6.
