How to Plant and Grow Japanese Snowbell

The Japanese snowbell tree is often prized for its elegant spreading canopy. The tree (which is native to Japan, Korea, and China) is also beloved for its fragrant, showy spring flowers. It tends to be multi-stemmed but is often pruned to a tree shape with a wide canopy and a central trunk.

In addition to its white and pink spring flowers, the slow-growing, deciduous tree offers year-round interest with its fissured grey-brown trunk and graceful, layered branch structure. After the flowers fade, Japanese snowbell branches are alive with dark green foliage and green-gray fruit (drupes) that dress the tree from late summer through late fall.

Where to Plant Japanese Snowbell

The key to success with Japanese snowbell is thoughtful placement. After all, it is known to tolerate a less-than-ideal site for a few years, then abruptly die. To prevent this, choose a space with rich, well-drained acidic soil, full sun or part shade, and protection from strong wind. Space is another important consideration. Since Japanese snowbell branches can stretch as much as 30 feet horizontally, the tree needs ample room to spread.

In its native regions of Japan, China, and Korea, Japanese snowbell trees are often planted along streets and paths—and it’s no wonder. The flowering tree looks elegant in groups along a walkway where the canopy of branches can dangle fragrant bell-shape flowers. In sunnier climates, consider planting your tree in dappled shade or on the north side of a building where it will receive only diffused afternoon sunlight. Just be sure to place your tree at least 15 feet away from structures and other trees.  

How and When to Plant Japanese Snowbell

Japanese snowbell trees are best planted in late spring after the danger of frost has passed. Choose a planting site with rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil and at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the tree’s root ball. Remove your tree from its container and wiggle apart the feeder roots (the thinner, non-woody roots) with your fingers. Place the tree in the planting hole and backfill the soil halfway. Soak the soil around the tree and continue filling the hole with soil until the top of the tree’s root ball sits even with the surface of the soil. Tamp down the soil and water deeply.

After planting, spread a 2-inch-thick layer of mulch over the root zone (but not near the trunk) to prevent soil moisture loss.

Japanese Snowbell Care Tips

Japanese Snowbell is an elegant deciduous flowering tree that bears a broad, layered canopy of branches. When placed in the right spot, established trees require little maintenance and provide pretty, pendulous clusters of pink or white flowers each spring.

Light

Japanese snowbell grows best in full sun (at least 6 hours per day) or partial shade. In warmer climates (zones 7-9), it may benefit from protection from harsh afternoon sun.

Soil and Water

Japanese snowbell prefers organically rich, slightly acidic (5.0 to 7.0 pH), well-drained soil.

Japanese snowbell trees aren’t drought-tolerant. So, plan to water your tree deeply and regularly—especially during the 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. After the first year, keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy.

Temperature and Humidity

Japanese snowbell is not heat tolerant. It prefers moderate humidity and temperatures between 40˚ and 85˚ Fahrenheit. In prolonged hot temperatures, the delicate tree is likely to suffer wilting, browning, and sunburn.

Most Japanese snowbell varieties are hardy in zones 5-9, but some cultivars are less cold hardy than others. Check the label (or ask your local gardening extension service) to determine which cultivar would be best for your climate and planting location.  

Fertilizer

Apply a general-purpose fertilizer in the spring before new growth occurs.

Pruning

With Japanese snowbell trees, no major pruning is required, but it’s wise to remove dead, diseased, or dying foliage and branches whenever they appear. You can also prune the tree annually to shape it as it matures. To highlight the tree’s elegant shape (and ensure there's enough room to walk under the canopy) remove the lower branches and low-hanging stems in the late winter or early spring.

Pests and Problems

Japanese snowbell trees are relatively immune to pests and diseases, but inadequate growing conditions can increase the likelihood of issues with beetles, root rot, canker, and scale. In some regions, the trees are also susceptible to attacks from ambrosia beetles. If left unattended, the pests will bore into the tree’s wood and destroy its vascular tissue.

How to Propagate Japanese Snowbell

The easiest way to propagate Japanese snowbell is via softwood cuttings—but it’s not a foolproof process. In spring or early summer, use sharp, sterile shears or a knife to cut a 4- to 6-inch, non-flowering softwood shoot. Strip the leaves from the base of the cutting and dip the cut end in hormone-rooting powder. Plant the cutting into prepared pots filled with pre-moistened soilless rooting medium or compost. Place a plastic bag over the container and mist the cutting once or twice daily to keep it evenly moist. Keep your cuttings cool, but frost-free until the following spring, and then transplant them into the ground.

You can also propagate from seed, but it may take years for seed-grown trees to sprout. The seeds need a double dormancy (two cold periods) before germination.

Types of Japanese Snowbell

Fragrant Snowbell

Styrax obassia is a wild form of Japanese snowbell 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 in 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 in zones 6-8.

Weeping Japanese Snowbell

Styrax japonicus 'Pendula' typically grows just 10 to 15 feet tall and features cascading branches that are heavy with white or pink flowers each spring. It is hardy in zones 5-8.

'Carillon' Japanese Snowbell

Styrax japonicus 'Carillon' is another weeping form of Japanese snowbell that features white and yellow flowers and a broad shrubby shape with stiff, draped branching. It grows to 8 to 10 feet tall and wide. It is hardy in zones 6-9 and zone 5 if offered protection from strong winds.

'Emerald Pagoda' Japanese Snowbell

As its name implies, Styrax japonicus ‘Emerald Pagoda’ provides a stunning, layered canopy of larger-than-average emerald-green leaves. It grows to about 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide and is hardy in zones 5-8.

Companion Plants for Japanese Snowbell

Hellebore

If you are looking for a pretty plant to grow in the understory of your Japanese snowbell, consider hellebores (a.k.a., Lenten roses)—especially if your soil is on the neutral side. Hellebores need at least partial shade, so they are ideal for adding color under the dappled canopy of the tree. Hellebores are hardy in zones 4-9 and typically bloom from early spring to early summer.

Hydrangea

Like Japanese snowbell, hydrangeas can flourish in sun or partial shade but prefer slightly acidic soil. In soil of 5.5 pH or lower, you can even grow true blue hydrangeas (if you choose the right cultivar). There are varieties of hydrangea that differ in size, flower shape, color, and bloom time. Most are hardy in zones 3-9.

Lily-of-the-Valley Shrub

Lily-of-the-Valley shrub (a.k.a., andromeda or Japanese pieris) is a broadleaf, evergreen shrub that mimics the look of Japanese snowbell with its pendulous clusters of bell-shape flowers. Like Japanese snowbell, it prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained acidic soil (5.0 to 6.0 pH). It is hardy in zones 4-8.

Rhododendron or Azalea

Rhododendrons or azaleas are classic companion plants for Japanese snowbells because they also prefer partial shade and acidic soil (ideally between 4.5 and 6.0). Rhododendrons and azaleas are often kept as shrubs, but like the Japanese snowbell, they can be pruned and cultivated into a tree shape with a wide canopy. Most varieties are hardy in zones 3-10.