Japanese snowbell tree won’t tolerate drought. It requires consistently moist, but not soggy, soil for best growth. Water young trees regularly during their first year. When nature fails to provide at least an inch of rain in a week, supply 10 gallons of water to the plant’s root zone. Spread a 2-inch-thick layer of mulch over the root zone to prevent soil-moisture loss. During the second growing season, you can cut back on watering as much because the tree’s roots will have had a chance to grow enough to find water deeper in the soil. Fertilize the tree with a general-purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Japanese snowbell tree is slow-growing and requires little pruning other than to remove lower branches, if desired, so there’s enough room to walk under the canopy. Late winter or early spring is the best time to prune.
More Varieties of Japanese Snowbell
Fragrant Snowbell
Styrax obassia is a wild form with smaller, white flowers and a more columnar habit than most snowbells. It features great fall color and grows 40 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Zones 6-8.
‘Pink Chimes’ Snowbell
Styrax japonicus ‘Pink Chimes’ bears pale pink flowers in late spring and early summer. It grows 30 feet tall and 25 feet wide. Zones 6-8.
