Styrax japonicus (Japanese Snowbell)

Beautiful, broad-crowned deciduous tree from the woodlands of China and Japan. The bell-shaped white flowers are fragrant and hang below the branches. It could reach 12metres x 8 metres but can be kept smaller.

A sunny spot will give best autumn colour but also happy in light shade. Good in a sheltered spot out of the cold winds on acid to neutral clay, loam or sandy soil that is moist but well drained.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.