Styrax obassia
Fragrant Snowbell
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
Average mature size of 20-30' tall & 15-25' wide. Small tree/large shrub. Dense, ascending branches. Pyramidal-oval in youth but becomes more open and rounded with age. May get 50' tall in the wild. Interesting growth habit as the branches twist & turn. Medium growth rate.
Native Range
Native to Japan, Korea & Manchuria. Introduced 1879.
Flower and Fruit Details
Flowers are showy, white, w/ yellow stamens, fragrant, occurring May-June, in showy, 4-10" long, drooping terminal racemes. Each individual flower is 1" long. May bloom a few days before Japanese Snowbell. Flowers open over a 2-3 week period. Fruits are 0.75" long, ovoid, silvery-green to gray, dry, pubescent drupes.
Leaf and Bark Features
Deciduous: Leafs out early, so may get damaged by a late spring freeze, & early fall freezes may prevent any fall color by browning the leaves. Leaves are alternate, simple, glabrous, dark green, and quite large, sub-orbicular to broad-ovate, 3-8" long & 2-3" wide. Leaf bases rounded; tips acuminate. Underside of leaves is densely pubescent. Petiole is 1/3-1" long, swollen at base to surround & enclose the bud. Does not usually develop a good fall color, but on occasion will turn yellow in autumn. Notable Bark: Young stems stout/glabrous/glossy reddish-brown/exfoliating to expose green, inner bark. Bark on older branches/trunk is smooth, gray/gray-brown, marked with shallow, vertical fissures & orange inner bark, like Jap. Snowbell. Branches have a wavy margin.
Culture and Care
Zones 5-8. In one location it has survived down to -25 degrees F. Prefers moist, organic soils in part shade, but also tolerates full sun. Prune late winter to early spring, as needed. Plant in a protected location in Zone 5. Few serious insect or disease problems if soil drainage is good. However, root rot is a problem in heavy, wet, poorly-drained soils. Ambrosia beetles also will attack and kill plants under stress.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
Smooth gray twisty branches are handsome for winter effect. 4-season interest: Spring, summer, fall & winter. Flower buds & foliage may be damaged by late winter/early spring freezes.
Suggested Uses
Makes an attractive specimen plant in landscapes. Good in the shrub border, or as an understory tree in woodland gardens.