Styrax obassia

Sunset

Zones 4-9, 14-21, 32-35, 37, 39

Full, Partial

Moderate

Fragrant Snowbell
Styracaceae
Deciduous, Trees

STYRAX

These plants deserve to be better known for their subtly attractive springtime show of white, bellshaped flowers in hanging clusters. Blossoms are fragrant (only faintly so in Styrax japonicus). Nonaggressive roots. Provide reasonably good, well-drained, nonalkaline soil. Prune to control shape; tend to be shrubby unless lower side branches are suppressed.

Styrax obassia

From eastern Asia. To 20 or 30 ft. tall, about two-thirds as wide. Oval to round, deep green, 3 to 8-in.-long leaves. Where frosts come very late, leaves may color yellow in autumn. Fragrant flowers to 1 in. long are carried in drooping, 6 to 8-in. clusters at branch ends. Good against background of evergreens, or for height and contrast above border of rhododendrons and azaleas. Same culture as for Styrax japonicus.