This feature will appear in the blog throughout the year. Many plants have fallen out of favor over the years, but for the sake of biodiversity and landscape interest they deserve to be resurrected. Today’s featured plant is:
Styrax japonicus, commonly called Japanese snowbell.
This tree is in the same family as, and closely related to, the silverbell (Halesia ). It is a compact, deciduous flowering tree with horizontal branching and a rounded crown. Typically, this tree grows to 20 to 30 feet tall and as wide. It is noted for its pendulous clusters of bell-shaped, mildly fragrant, five-petaled, waxy flowers that bloom in May to June. Drooping flower clusters are easily visible because of the upward posture of the foliage. Gray bark fissures on older branches to reveal orange inner bark which can be attractive in winter.
Japanese snowbell trees grow best in organically rich, acidic, medium moisture, well drained soils in full sun to part shade, hardiness zones 5-9. They are suitable for small gardens. They pair well with broadleaf evergreens, such as azalea, rhododendron and mountain laurel, as they flower around the same time of year. The exfoliating bark adds multi-season appeal.
This is certainly a tree worth planting!