Why Plant Japanese Snowbell?
The Japanese Snowbell tree is an exquisite flowering tree with soft-spoken charms and a trouble-free nature. It's a mystery to us why it hasn't caught on with the general public! With its umbrella-like habit, this small to medium-sized tree was made to shade a cozy seating area, and in late spring this is where you'll want to be, as its sparkling what blossoms are best seen from below. The flowers' soft, sweet fragrance makes the space under it sheltering branches even more inviting, and on the balmy evenings leading up to summer, this will be your favorite place to unwind.
Richard Oldham was a young gardener, sent by the Royal Botanical Garden Kew to explore the Orient and collect plant specimens in 1861. Under orders from the director Sir William Hooker he was required to stay on ships, however suffering from seasickness this did not go well.
Botanists often wrote letters to KEW reporting reasons that have prevented them from doing their work. Poor weather, transportation problems, shortage of money or illness. Although Richard Oldman experiences all of these he also wrote of the dangers of headhunting. He wrote that he could not explore the mountains near Tamsuy because Spring was the season Taiwanese aborigines collected heads to gain favor with unmarried women. Hooker had little sympathy for him and saw his slow progress as laziness. At just 23 years old, he managed to collect and send back over 13,000 plant specimens one being the Styrax Japonica Japanese Snowball, under some of the most undesirable conditions. He decided to take it upon himself to leave the ship and travel to Taiwan to further his collections, this was looked at as a resignation by Hooker and RGB Kew stopped his funding. He eventually succumbed to dysentery and died at the age of 27.
How to use Japanese Snowbell in the landscape?
This tree will "ring your bell." Clusters of charming white, hanging, "bell-shaped" flowers bloom in June and the attractive dark green leaves turn yellow in the fall. This wonderful specimen tree will create a graceful atmosphere in your outdoor living space.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 5-8
How To Plant Japanese Snowbell
Snowbell likes full sun but also tolerates light shade. Snowbell does best in organic, moist, well-drained soils and prefer to be in an area protected from wind. They are also relatively free of insect problems. Snowbells will respond well to a once a year application of low rate tree fertilizer in the fall. Pruning requirements are practically non-existent. If your Japanese Snowbells get a little out of hand, you can keep them under control by shearing them after flowering. Yes, I said shearing. Literally taking hedge shearers and cutting it back. Believe me, your Snowbell will respond well to this type of pruning.
How To Water
Water deeply, and regularly during first few years in the ground to encourage a deep, extensive root system. Irrigate weekly, especially during prolonged dry spells or extreme heat after it’s established.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
