Styrax obassia
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- STYE-racks oh-BAY-see-uh
- Description
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Fragrant snowbell is a large-leaved flowering tree. It gets its common name from the 6-8" long racemes of fragrant white flowers that appear in late spring to early summer. Blooming after the leaves emerge, the flowers' beauty can be hidden by the foliage. After flowering, drupes are formed. They may be present into late autumn.
Growing best in well-drained, acidic soil, it can be planted in sand, clay or loam based locations. It does not do well when soil is compacted. In cooler planting zones, protection from winter winds is required. The leaves and flower buds can be damaged by frost. In the warmer zones, full sun is not recommended. Locate in an area that receives some protection from the hot summer sun.
Its leaves can reach lengths of up to 8".
It is moderately drought tolerant, once established.
The bark on older specimens can experience exfoliation which reveals a showy inner layer. This orange layer will often provide winter interest.
This tree is pyramidal to oval in youth, but more open and rounded as it ages. Its branches are ascending. To control the shape of this tree, it is best to prune in the winter. To achieve a more shrub-like form, prune annually by cutting the top back in the late summer to about one half of its height. For a multi-stemmed habit, cut back by one half every 2 to 3 years. A tree form can be accomplished by removing any upward growing branches. This should be accomplished in the winter months.
As the plant ages, it will tend to droop, requiring pruning for clearance underneath.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant disease or pest issues.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Styrax
- Species:
- obassia
- Family:
- Styracaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Korea and Japan
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Easy to Grow
- Shade
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Open
- Oval
- Pyramidal
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fleshy, oval to round fruits can be showy.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- White flowers with yellow stamens on 4-8" drooping racemes.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The dark green, 3-8" leaves are pubescent on the underside. They taper to a point.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Furrowed
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark has numerous twists and turns.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- This multi-trunked plant can be trained to grow with a single trunk.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Lawn
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Screen/Privacy
- Shade Tree
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Understory Tree