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Styrax hemsleyanus
  • RHS AGM

Hemsley snowball

S. hemsleyanus is a medium-sized deciduous tree of open habit with finely-toothed, almost rounded leaves to 13cm in length. White, bell-shaped flowers 2.5cm in width are borne in drooping racemes to 15cm in length in early summer

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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Styracaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Styrax can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with simple, alternate leaves and nodding bell-shaped, fragrant white flowers in spring or summer

Name status

Correct

Plant range
China

How to grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in moist, humus-rich, fertile soils but shelter from cold drying winds. Well-suited to a woodland garden

Propagation

Propagate from seed sown at 15°C reducing the temperature to 0 to 5°C after 3 months. Propagate by softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility

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