Styrax japonicus 'Purple Dress'
Japanese snowbell 'Purple Dress'
A large shrub or small tree to around 4m high, with an upright, bushy habit and broadly oval, slightly glossy deep green leaves. New leaves emerge deep purple and retain a purplish tint when grown in full sun. Clusters of pendent, bell-shaped pale pink flowers are produced along the undersides of the branches in early summer. Leaves turn yellow and orange in autumn
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Purple | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Green Purple | ||
| Autumn | Green Orange Yellow | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Styracaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright
- 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Thrives in moist but well-drained, loamy, acid to neutral soil, in full or afternoon sun. Provide shelter from cold drying winds
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer, or by grafting in winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Minimal pruning required, see 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
Get involved
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