Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Oregon, USA

Common name: Fragrant Snowbell

Family: Styracaceae

Distribution: Japan

Habitat: Wet mountain forests 700-1500m

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

Hardiness: Zone 5b -15 to -10 F

Life form: Deciduous tree

Usage: Ornamental shade tree

Comments: Fragrant snowbell is a medium sized upright tree with ascending branches and rounded crown native to Japan. Typically grows 20-30' tall. Bell-shaped, fragrant, white flowers with showy yellow stamens appear in pendulous, terminal racemes (to 8" long) in May-June (somewhat late for trees). Flowers are often partially obscured by the large, velvety, oval-rounded, medium green leaves (to 8" long). Flowers give way to drupes which may persist into late autumn. Smooth gray bark exfoliates on the trunks of older trees revealing an attractive orange inner layer and resulting winter interest.
Best grown in medium moisture, acidic, organically rich, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prune in winter to control shape. No serious insect or disease problems. Flower buds and foliage are susceptible to late winter/early spring frost damage.