A Beautiful, and Uncommon, Blooming Tree

I planted a Japanese snowbell many years ago under a tall canopy of mature trees. The arching branches are loaded with small "bell flowers"  creating a beautiful landscape scene. The small tree will grow to be 20 to 30 feet tall. Its habit is low, horizontally branched and broad with a rounded crown. This tree will thrive in light shade and full or partial sun. 

There is a need for evenly moist, organically rich, acid soil to make Japanese snowbell really happy. Its roots shouldn’t be allowed to dry out.  So, for all you Southern Gardeners - keep this in mind when planting. Do NOT plop it in to a hole of red clay - it will surely drown!  If clay is your only option, then be sure to dig a wide, wide hole and amend the soil with organic rich conditioner. Keep watered on a regular basis - especially during it's first growing season. I recommend using this small, ornamental tree as an "understory" to other large mature trees. 

The tree is at its best when sited to ensure her blooms are admired from below. Pruning other than to remove crossing or wind-broken branches is usually unnecessary. Prune if you must after the blooming interval.

One of the most impressive of all landscape snowbells for this region is S. japonicus ‘Emerald Pagoda’.

Common name (Botanical name): American snowbell (Styrax americanum), Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonicus), fragrant snowbell (Styrax obassia)

Varieties to look For: Styrax japonicus ‘Emerald Pagoda’

Blooming period: Late spring to early summer for most; American snowbell later in summer

Type: Woody, deciduous or evergreen; ornamental tree, often fragrant

Size: 20 to 30 feet

Exposure: Light shade to full sun; dislikes heat

How to plant: Best planted in the spring as an understory specimen. Plant in acid, moisture-retentive, organically rich soil. Give roots plenty of room to expand. Mulch lightly.

When to prune: Prune sparingly only to remove crossing or broken branches; do so after the plant’s blooming interval.

When to fertilize: Fertilize in late winter with a slow-release fertilizer with micronutrients.