Elegantly arching, 4-8" long spikes of 1" wide, bell-shaped, fragrant white flowers with contrasting yellow anthers are produced in spring to early summer with the warmest regions flowering earliest. The Fragrant Snowbell, Styrax obassia or S. obassis, is a highly desirable, showy small tree that is initially pyramidal in form but broadens and becomes rounded with age. The large papery, rounded to oval to near heart-shaped foliage can reach 8" long and the beautiful foliage alone makes this plant worth growing. From the moist forests of Japan and Korea, the Fragrant Snowbell will benefit from protection from strong drying winds as well as a moist to average moist, loamy, well-drained acidic soil that is rich in organic matter and an organic mulch over the root zone. Full sun to part shade tolerant but it may benefit from afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Item# 12607