Snowbell (Styrax spp.)

Fundamental Facts

HARDINESS: Zones 6 to 8
PREFERRED SOIL pH: Acid
PREFERRED SOIL TYPE: Well-drained, fertile, organic
PREFERRED LIGHT: Sun to partial shade
ATTRIBUTES: Dainty, bell-shaped white flowers, attractive branching; for woodlands
SEASON OF INTEREST: Spring to fall
FAVORITES: S. japonica and 'Pink Chimes', S. obassia
QUIRKS: Frost can damage the foliage, which emerges early in spring
GOOD NEIGHBORS: Pachysandra, rhododendron, azalea, mountain laurel, viburnum
WHERE IT GROWS BEST: Deep, fertile, moist, well-drained soil where protected from winter wind
LONGEVITY: Lives for 30 years or more in good conditions
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: A poorly sited plant will not perform well
SOURCE: Nursery plants
DIMENSIONS: To 30 ft (9.1 m) tall and to 20 ft (6.1 m) wide

Snowbell in the Landscape

While most trees are regarded as plants that preside over a section of your yard, snowbell is a small tree that's most at home in a garden. This little wonder needs rich, deeply dug, fertile soil, just as many perennials do, but once planted it asks for little in terms of maintenance. Instead, expect to spend time enjoying snowbell's bell-shaped white blossoms, which dangle below the branches in late spring or early summer.

This little tree, which stays under 30 ft (9.1 m) tall, lives life to the fullest. It is one of the first woody plants to leaf out in spring, and one of the last to give up for the season in late fall. Thereafter, it displays its interesting branching pattern and peeling bark until it impatiently sends out its textured green leaves again at the first opportunity next spring.

Plant snowbell anywhere you can view the flowers, such as by a path or driveway, near a window, or at the edge of a flower border or lawn. It likes the partial shade along the edge of a woodland and the companionship of other shade plants, such as rhododendron, azalea, and mountain laurel. Any groundcover that tolerates shade, such as pachysandra, can be planted at its feet, although snowbell also looks handsome with a skirt of dark mulch. In colder climates, you can tuck snowbell along the house foundation or near a wall for protection from freezing wind, or give it a northern exposure, so that leaves that are covered by spring frosts have time to thaw before being hit by sun.

All in the Family

The most popular and reliable species is the Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonica).The branches spread wide in horizontal fans to form a rounded canopy of narrow oval leaves. The flowers hang from long stems, their little yellow stamens clearly visible when viewed from below. 'Pink Chimes' produces prolific pink flowers that are darker at the base.

As the name indicates, fragrant snowbell (S. obassia) has sweet-scented flowers on short stems that are almost hidden among the broad, rounded leaves. Both Japanese and fragrant snowbell take their time reaching a mature size of 20-30 ft (6.1-9.1 m) tall and 10-20 ft (3-6.1 m) wide, and both are hardy enough to survive in well-protected spots in Zone 5.

There are two species native to die southeastern part of the continent. S. americanus, hardy to Zone 5, and S. grandifolius, hardy to Zone 7, have equally nice flowers but are shrubby, growing only 10 ft (3 m) high and wide.These snowbells like moist conditions and tolerate flooding for short periods.

Growing Snowbell

Snowbells have moderate needs including average moisture, light, and soil fertility. They should be transplanted when fairly small, because they don't survive transplanting when older. Plant them in spring, keeping the soil ball intact to avoid damaging roots. Water well, and keep the soil moist during droughts. Spread a 3 in thick (7.6 cm) layer of organic mulch over the root zone to retard evaporation from the soil. Snowbells are not bothered by insects or disease and don't need pruning