The Japanese Snowbell, or Styrax japonicus is a species of flowering plant in the family Styracaceae, native to Korea, Japan, and Southern China. Its beautiful flowers, pleasant fragrance and overall shape make it an excellent choice for gardens as a specimen tree, near patios, or in small groupings.
Japanese Snowbell grows to a height of 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters) with a similar spread when mature, though it can be smaller when grown in gardens or containers.The bark is smooth and gray, becoming slightly fissured with age. The leaves are alternate, simple, and oval to elliptical with a slightly serrated margin. They are dark green, turning to yellow or reddish in the fall, although the fall color can be inconsistent.
The tree blooms in late spring to early summer. Flowers are bell-shaped, white, with a pleasant fragrance, hanging in clusters beneath the branches, which gives the tree its name. Each flower has five petals. The way the flowers droop from the branches somewhat resembles snow, hence “Snowbell.”After flowering, it produces small, drupe-like fruits that are grayish and contain one or two seeds.
When initially planted, you can expect the tree to grow approximately 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm) per year under optimal conditions. The growth rate tends to slow down as the tree reaches maturity, but it will continue to fill out and gain density in its canopy. In less than ideal conditions, or if the tree is stressed by environmental factors or competition from other plants, the growth rate might be on the lower end of this spectrum or even slower.
Cultivated Range
North America
- Widely planted in the United States, particularly in the eastern states and the Pacific Northwest, where the climate is suitable. It’s popular in gardens from USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8.
Europe
- It is grown in various parts of Europe, where the climate allows, although it might not be as common as in North America due to differing horticultural preferences and climate conditions.
Australia and New Zealand
- In regions where the climate is temperate, the tree can also be found in cultivation, though less commonly than in its native or more traditional Western cultivation areas.
Other Regions
- With global interest in ornamental horticulture, the Japanese Snowbell might be found in botanical gardens or private collections in other temperate parts of the world, though these instances are more about individual cultivation rather than widespread naturalization.
Outside of its native range, the Japanese Snowbell isn’t generally known to naturalize aggressively, it doesn’t spread into wild areas and become invasive. It remains mostly where it’s planted, appreciated for its beauty in controlled garden environments.