Japanese Snowbell
Styrax japonicus
- Native to:
- China, Hainan, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam
Dalgial
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Styracaceae
- Genus:
- Styrax
- Species:
- Styrax japonicus
- USDA Symbol:
- STJA5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 900 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers organic matter-rich soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 90–150 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–365 days
- Notes:
- Seeds exhibit double dormancy requiring warm stratification followed by cold stratification. Germination can be erratic and may take over a year.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Repeated cycles of 20C then 4C, 3 months each. Very prolonged.