Long-lasting fruits appear in autumn and mature trees develop fissured bark adding winter interest.
Dwarf varieties can also be grown in containers.
Early growth creates a vase-like form in most cultivars extending to a more rounded crown as these trees mature.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Fruits drop in autumn and early winter but seldom create a need for extensive clean-up.
Plant in a location sheltered from high winds.
In climates with hot summers (90 degreesF ) two hours of afternoon shade protect foliage from sunburn.
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Insufficient light causes leaves to yellow and drop.
Water
This tree has moderate moisture needs but won’t tolerate drought conditions.
Water newly planted saplings weekly during the first year to keep soil consistently damp but not soggy.
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Irrigate deeply with a gallon of water every one or two weeks depending on rainfall in your area.
Once established, plan to water as needed during the summer months.
A3- to 4-inch layer of mulchretains soil moisture and discourages competing weeds.
Some varieties tolerate temperatures as high as 95F as long as afternoon shade is provided.
Others survive temperatures as low as 5F but extreme fluctuations in temperate could be damaging to this tree.
Mulching helps prevent root damage in colder climates with late spring frosts.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is optional for trees grown in good soil with several suggestions for supplemental feeding.
To encourage blooming choose a product slightly higher in phosphorous.
Inspect your tree annually and remove dead, diseased, and damaged branches.
Otherwise, gentle pruning about every three years is usually adequate to retain the desired shape.
It isn’t legal to propagate trademarked cultivars so plan to purchase additional nursery-grown seedlings.
Although other varieties can be propagated in summer with softwood cuttings,success is limited with slow development.
It can take several years to get a reliable transplant.
Select a pot with plenty of drainage holes and at least twice as wide and deep as the rootball.
Plastic or glazed ceramic pots work best for retaining soil moisture.
Potting and repotting is best done in early spring.
Overwintering
In colder climates, protect Japanese snowbell roots with a thick layer of mulch.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Japanese snowbell is unaffected by common pests and plant diseases.
Ambrosia beetles may be attracted to plants weakened by environmental stresses like extreme temperatures.
There are no chemical controls for Ambrosia beetles, althoughpyrethrinis sometimes applied in worst cases.
Depending on variety, flowers appear between May and June lasting for several weeks.
What Do Japanese Snowbell Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Foliage grows in an upright orientation on upper branch surfaces which showcases the flowers below.
It is highlyattractive to bees and other pollinators.
How to Encourage More Blooms
Healthy trees bloom easily and profusely without additional fertilizer.
you might, however, boost blooms with a high-phosphorousNPK fertilizer in early spring.
There is no need to remove flowers.
Common Problems With Japanese Snowbell
This is an easy-care, ornamental hardwood that is nearly problem free.
Issues that may come up are likely due to inadequate watering or environmental causes.
Check the soil and lower pH before planting if necessary.
Apply mulch to hold in soil moisture and discourage weeds.
Lack of Blooms
A deficit of flowers is likely triggered by a mistake with fertilizer.
Planted in humus-rich, well-drained soil, these trees do not require supplemental feeding.
Fertilizers with too much nitrogen result in overabundant foliage at the expense of flowers.
Most varieties grow to between 20 and 30 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide.
The 3/4-inch oval-shaped drupes are said to resemble olives.
Japanese snowbell is not listed as invasive.
Forest 67 Japanese Snowbell.National Arboretum Canberra
