Styrax japonicus
(Japanese Snowball)
Family - Styracaceae
Category - Shrub, tree
Origin - Japan, Korea
Discovered By - Richard Oldham, plant hunter
Year of Introduction - 1862
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H5
Height - 6m or more
Width - 6m or more
Location - The White Garden
Description: A Deciduous large Shrub or small tree with an elegant, upright spreading habit. Glossy mid to dark green leaves are ovate to Elliptic in shape and are pointed at the tips. Small snow-white flowers are bell-shaped to star-shaped and each Bloom has a central cluster of golden stamens. The flowers are held in small, pendulous clusters on long, thin stalks and hang gracefully beneath the branches. The Blooms are produced in early summer and are attractive to pollinating insects. The leaves turn shades of yellow and orange in autumn before falling.
This plant was first described by Richard Oldham, the last full-time botanical plant collector for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower:
Small, pure white flowers are bell-shaped to star-shaped and each bloom has a central cluster of golden stamens. The blooms are held in pendulous clusters (occasionally held singly) and dangle gracefully beneath the branches. The flowers are produced in June.
Flower colour: White
Flower shape: Bell-shaped to star-shaped flowers in clusters
Flowering time: June
Foliage:
Glossy mid to dark green leaves are ovate to Elliptic in shape with pointed tips. The leaves are Alternately arranged on the graceful, spreading branches. The foliage turns shades of yellow and orange before falling in autumn.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Ovate to elliptic
Autumn Colour: Yellow, orange
Propagation:
Cuttings, seed.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture retentive soil that is well drained.