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    • Photo of Styrax obassia form by Chhe

    Photo by Chhe

    This work has been released into the public domain by its author.

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    Styrax obassia

    Also Known As

    • Big-leafed Storax
    • Fragrant Snowbell

    Plant type

    tree

    size

    • H: 20'-35'
    • W: 15'-25'

    planting zones

    • 5a-8b

    More Options

    Styrax obassia plant details

    Styrax obassia is a slow-growing broadleaf deciduous tree with green foliage. In summer white flowers emerge. Grows well with sun and even moisture - regular water. Does well in acidic, rich and well-drained soil.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Styrax obassia

    Plant type: tree
    Plant family: styracaceae
    Foliage: deciduous green
    Mature size: 15 FT - 25 FT - wide, 20 FT - 35 FT - tall
    Flowers: white blooms in summer
    Uses: distinctive bark, fall color, winter interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Styrax obassia

    USDA Zones: 5a - 8b
    Sun exposure: sun
    Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
    Soil needs: acidic, rich and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    The large, almost-round, leaves are lush-green above and velvety-tufted below. This lovely, slender, 20-30' upright tree or large shrub has gracefully ascending branches and a rounded crown. Early summer finds small, but fragrant, bell-shaped pure white flowers with showy yellow stamens hanging in 6-8" racemes. The blooms develop into interesting silvery-green drupes which may persist into late autumn. Smooth gray bark exfoliates on the trunks of older specimens revealing an attractive auburn inner bark, which is extra lovely in winter. S-PSh/M

    By: Forestfarm

    Grown for its fragrant white flowers and dense summer foliage, Japanese Snowbell blooms later in the summer than most other tree species and is perfect for extending your flowering season. Snowbell is easy to grow and grows well in a wide range of climates and soil types, although it performs best in well drained fertile soil. Once they are established, trees need very little water to thrive and pruning is rarely needed. However, with some early selective pruning it is easy to shape Snowbell trees into either a wide shrub, a multi-trunked tree, or in a single straight leader form. For a wide shrub prune the tops back in late summer each year, removing about half of the current year's height each time. For a multi-trunk form prune the tops back in late summer every two or three years, again pruning back about half of the current season's growth. For a straight leader form remove any upward-facing branch except the tallest and straightest one during the winter. Any time you see growth growing upwards other than the top leader remove it during the growing season. If the top isn't growing straight enough you can tie it to a stake for a year or two.

    By: Red Panda Nursery

    White fragrant bell shaped flowers May-June, Yellow fall color. Zones 5-8.

    By: Lael's Moon Garden

    A stunning, small, slender, upright tree with ascending branches and a round crown. Depending on pruning, it can also be a large shrub. Beautiful bell-shaped, FRAGRANT, white flowers with very showy yellow stamens come in huge, 6-8", pendulous, terminal racemes. This is pleasantly late for small trees, so this one struts her stuff after the big spring display is finished! Flowers give way to drupes which may persist into late autumn. The exfoliating bark on older trees, is gray and smooth and reveals an attractive orange inner layer which makes for great winter interest. Disease and pest free. About the only Pest is a man with a weedwacker -- the beautiful thin bark can be damaged by them! From Japan. Growth rate 12" per year.

    By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

    For nursery pickup only. "Fragrant Snowbell" is an attractive small tree with a pyramidal shape in youth aging with a more rounded crown. Bold, ovate, 3-6" dark green leaves. White bells flowers are displayed in drooping 6" racemes in June. Grows to 25' and prefers well drained soil. 6-7' plants.

    By: Avant Gardens

    A perfect round-headed tree with large round leaves. Care in planting and growing this fine specimen will reward you in June with fragrant white bell shaped flowers held in dangling racemes from the branch tips. An flaking and curling chestnut colored bark the second year is an added bonus. Can reach 30' and looks great in almost any place in the garden, tolerating but not needing considerable shade. Excellent in combination with rhododendrons or azaleas.

    By: Greer Gardens Inc.

    Rounded leaves of medium green create a soothing effect on this slow growing tree. Fragrant clusters of white flowers appear in early summer. 20' tall in time.

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Gardening facts about Styrax obassia plant

    How to Grow Styrax obassia

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - regular

    • Soil Needs

      • acidic
      • well-drained
      • rich

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • white

    • Flower Season

      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

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