Fragrant Snowbell

One of the most elegant and sensory-rich trees you can add to a garden, Styrax obassia or Fragrant Snowbell, is native to Japan and Korea. It is prized for its graceful, rounded habit and its spectacular display of pendulous, bell-shaped white flowers that appear in early Summer. Unlike the smaller Japanese Snowbell (S. japonicus), Styrax obassia features much larger, almost tropical-looking leaves—broad, deep green ovals that can reach up to 20cm across, creating a lush, dense canopy. In June, the tree is draped in hanging racemes of blossoms that release a delicate, honey-like fragrance, attracting bees and butterflies. As the flowers fade, they are replaced by attractive, velvety grey seed pods. The tree also offers striking Winter interest; as it matures, the smooth gray bark develops subtle fissures that reveal an orange-brown inner layer. This is a perfect specimen plant, ideal for planting near a patio or path where its fragrance and pendulous blooms can be fully appreciated.   

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Well-drained, humus-rich, acid to neutral soil
Position: Full sun or dappled shade
Season of interest: Early Summer scented blooms, Winter bark
Hardiness: Fully hardy to -15C
Height: 20-30’ (7-9m) Spread: 15-20' (5-6m) in 20 years

Image 1 & 2 by Plant Image Library cropped, and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0