Japanese Snowbell is a pretty ( but picky ) blossoming tree that provides a canopy of interest from early spring to previous fall .
The Japanese snowbell tree is often respect for its elegant spread out canopy . The tree ( which is native to Japan , Korea , and China ) is also beloved for itsfragrant , showy spring flowers . It incline to be multi - stemmed but is often prune to a tree conformation with a wide canopy and a fundamental trunk .
In addition to its snowy and pink fountain flowers , the slow - grow , deciduous tree offers year - round involvement with its fissure white-haired - brown trunk and elegant , layered branch structure . After the flowers fade , Nipponese snowbell subdivision are alive with dark green foliage and unripened - gray fruit ( drupe ) that dress the tree from late summertime through late fall .
Credit: Stephen Cridland
Where to Plant Japanese Snowbell
The key to success with Nipponese snowbell is thoughtful placement . After all , it is be intimate to digest a less - than - idealistic site for a few age , then abruptly die out . To forestall this , select a space withrich , well - run out acid soil , full sun or part shade , and protection from strong nothingness . Space is another authoritative circumstance . Since Japanese Styrax obassia branches can extend as much as 30 foot horizontally , the tree diagram take ample room to circularize .
In its aboriginal area of Japan , China , and Korea , Japanese snowbell tree diagram are often planted along street and paths — and it ’s no wonder . The flowering tree look elegant in chemical group along a walkway where the canopy of offset can dangle fragrant bell - bod prime . In gay climates , deliberate planting your tree diagram in dappled shade or on the Second Earl of Guilford side of a building where it will receive only soft good afternoon sunlight . Just be certain to place your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree at least 15 metrical unit away from social system and other Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
How and When to Plant Japanese Snowbell
Nipponese snowbell trees are best planted in late outflow after the danger of freeze has passed . Choose a planting web site with plentiful , well - drain , slenderly acidic soil and at least 6 hour of lineal sunlight per daylight . moil a hole doubly as panoptic and just as deep as the tree ’s root bollock . slay your tree from its container and joggle aside the birdfeeder roots ( the thinner , non - arboreous roots ) with your fingers . Place the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in the planting hole and backfill the dirt midway . Soak the soil around the tree and stay filling the hole with soil until the top of the tree diagram ’s root ball sit even with the surface of the soil . Tamp down the soil and water system deep .
After planting , diffuse a 2 - in - slurred layer of mulch over the root zone ( but not near the trunk ) to prevent soil wet release .
Japanese Snowbell Care Tips
Japanese Snowbell is an elegant deciduous flowering tree that assume a broad , layered canopy of offshoot . When place in the right stain , establish trees require little maintenance and provide pretty , pendulous clustering of pinkish or ashen flowers each spring .
Light
Japanese Styrax obassia grows best infull sun(at least 6 hour per 24-hour interval ) or partial tone . In warm climates ( zones 7 - 9 ) , it may benefit from protection from harsh afternoon sun .
Soil and Water
Japanese snowbell prefers organically rich , slightly acidulent ( 5.0 to 7.0 pH ) , well - drain soil .
Japanese Styrax obassia trees are n’t drouth - broad . So , design to water your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree deeply and regularly — especially during the first year . When nature fails to cater at least an inch of rain in a workweek , render 10 Imperial gallon of water to the plant ’s ancestor zone . After the first year , keep the territory evenly moist , but not soggy .
Temperature and Humidity
Nipponese snowbell is not heat large-minded . It prefer moderate humidity and temperatures between 40˚ and 85˚ Fahrenheit . In prolonged spicy temperature , the ticklish tree is potential to endure wilting , browning , and burn .
Most Japanese snowbell assortment are hardy in zones 5 - 9 , but some cultivars are less cold hardy than others . Check the label ( or ask your local horticulture reference Robert William Service ) to determine which cultivar would be unspoilt for your climate and planting location .
Fertilizer
use a world-wide - purpose fertiliser in the spring before Modern growth occurs .
Pruning
With Japanese snowbell trees , no major pruning is required , but it ’s wise to remove dead , diseased , or go foliage and branches whenever they come out . you may also rationalize the tree each year to shape it as it mature . To highlight the tree diagram ’s elegant shape ( and ensure there ’s enough elbow room to walk under the canopy ) move out the lowly branches and low - hanging stanch in the tardy winter or former leaping .
Pests and Problems
Japanese Styrax obassia trees are relatively immune to pests and diseases , but inadequate growing conditions can increase the likelihood of issue with beetles , root rot , canker , and scale . In some regions , the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are also susceptible to attacks from ambrosia beetle . If leave unattended , the pests will bear into the tree ’s wood and destroy its vascular tissue paper .
How to Propagate Japanese Snowbell
The easiest mode topropagate Nipponese Styrax obassia is via deal cuttings — but it ’s not a unfailing cognitive operation . In bound or early summer , use keen , sterile shear or a tongue to cut a 4- to 6 - in , non - flowering softwood shoot . Strip the leaves from the fundament of the press cutting and dip the cut end in hormone - rooting powder . embed the cutting into prepared muckle fill with pre - moistened soilless rooting mass medium or compost . grade a plastic bag over the container and mist the slip once or twice daily to keep it equally moist . Keep your cutting coolheaded , but frost - free until the following bounce , and then transplant them into the earth .
you’re able to also propagate from seed , but it may take years for seed - grown trees to sprout . The seminal fluid involve a two-fold dormancy ( two frigid period ) before sprouting .
Types of Japanese Snowbell
Fragrant Snowbell
Styrax obassiais a wild form of Japanese snowbell with littler , white flowers and a more columniform habit than most snowbells . It features great surrender colour and develop 40 foot tall and 20 feet wide in zones 6 - 8 .
‘Pink Chimes’ Snowbell
Styrax japonicus’Pink Chimes ' yield pale pinkish bloom in late spring and early summertime . It grows 30 foundation marvelous and 25 feet wide in zones 6 - 8 .
Weeping Japanese Snowbell
Styrax japonicus’Pendula ' typically grows just 10 to 15 feet tall and features cascade down branches that are heavy with livid or pink flowers each spring . It is hardy in zones 5 - 8 .
‘Carillon’ Japanese Snowbell
Styrax japonicus’Carillon ' is another weeping form of Japanese snowbell that sport white and yellow heyday and a broad shrubby shape with unbendable , draped fork . It grows to 8 to 10 feet tall and wide . It is hardy in zone 6 - 9 and zone 5 if offered shelter from solid winds .
‘Emerald Pagoda’ Japanese Snowbell
As its name mean , Styrax japonicus‘Emerald Pagoda ’ provides a arresting , layered canopy of orotund - than - median emerald - unripe leaf . It grow to about 30 substructure tall and 20 feet wide and is stalwart in zones 5 - 8 .
Companion Plants for Japanese Snowbell
Hellebore
If you are look for a pretty plant to raise in the understory of your Japanese Styrax obassia , considerhellebores(a.k.a . , Lenten roses)—especially if your soil is on the neutral side . Hellebores need at least fond shade , so they are ideal for adding colouring under the dappled canopy of the tree diagram . Hellebores are sturdy in zones 4 - 9 and typically blossom from early outpouring to other summer .
Hydrangea
Like Nipponese snowbell , hydrangeascan flourish in Sunday or fond tincture but favour more or less acidic grease . In soil of 5.5 pH or humble , you’re able to even grow lawful blue hydrangeas ( if youchoose the correct cultivar ) . There are sort of hydrangea that differ in size , blossom physical body , color , and bloom time . Most are hardy in zone 3 - 9 .
Lily-of-the-Valley Shrub
Lily - of - the - Valley shrub(a.k.a . , andromeda or Nipponese pieris ) is a broadleaf , evergreen shrub that mimics the look of Japanese snowbell with its pendulous clusters of bell - conformation bloom . Like Japanese Styrax obassia , it favor full sun to partial shade and well - enfeeble acidulous soil ( 5.0 to 6.0 pH ) . It is hardy in zones 4 - 8 .
Rhododendron or Azalea
BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova
Rhododendronsorazaleasare classic companion plants for Japanese Styrax obassia because they also opt fond shade and acidulent stain ( ideally between 4.5 and 6.0 ) . Rhododendrons and azalea are often go along as bush , but like the Japanese snowbell , they can be prunedand cultivate into a tree diagram shape with a broad canopy . Most varieties are hardy in zona 3 - 10 .
Frequently Asked Questions
Nipponese Styrax obassia tree are middling slow - growing and may only gain about 12 to 24 inch per twelvemonth once established .
When properly cared for and maturate in the proper touch a healthy Japanese snowbell can live 50 to 100 years .
Some gardeners would call Japanese snowbell trees messy — but it is a pretty mess . When the blanched or pink blooms fade , they drop to the ground like snowfall . The tiny olive - unripe fruits will also drop , but these are often pluck up by passing bird and other wildlife .
Credit: Stephen Cridland
Credit: Susan A. Roth
Credit: Richard Hirneisen
Credit: Mary Carolyn Pindar
Credit: Marilyn Ott
Credit:BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova
