I am officially in Z6a, but my styrax had no problems with last winter's very cold temperatures which dipped to -12 to -15. This winter has been even colder in the number of sub zero days, but these have been accompanied by very deep snow cover which was not the case in 2013-2014. Styrax Japonica is probably at the extreme limits of its range in Z5 so hardiness in specific cultivars is important. Nearby nurseries are good sources for information on this and I'd also check Dirr's book on woody landscape plants. Siting will also be important - try to find a relatively protected spot and consider wind protection for te first 2 or 3 years after planting. Amidst all this optimism, I have to say I've never seen a sizable specimen of s. japonica in a cold climate.

isnt an hour S of london.. bordering on lake Erie??? .. if so.. there may be a significant lake effect zone change ... and that might be why they can get them thru winter.. where you might not ....

i suspect if your local peeps do not sell it.. that tells you all you need to know ...

if you wish to make the attempt to zone push .. its all about the micro climate you can provide ... including a placement out of prevailing NW winter winds ....

and if you do zone push.. be prepared to lose all ... that is part of the game ... if it does not make it.. its not really the sellers fault .... since you will be driving it an hour north of his location ...

those last few degrees of zone.. are a lot different in a urban setting.. as compared to rural ... its just darn colder out where there isnt any concrete/asphalt to maintain some day time heat ...

i have been gardening in z5 MI for 35 years.. and never heard of this... which tells me it is NOT a z5 plant ...

ken

ps: you will get much better.. and specific info.. if you convert to the latin name.. and research under such .... using common names can lead to all kinds of confusion .... like looking up drippy nose.. as compared to sinusitis ....

Viburnum plicatum is another possible 'japanese snowball'. So, yes, speak latin please, or we can't help you much without being sure of facts. Unfortunately, a common name can be liked to an opinion...everyone has one.

Styrax obassia is hardier than S japonicus, if you can find it. I'd second what mainegrower said about careful siting being key.

I'm in zone 5b and planted a Styrax japonicus six years ago and it has been doing great. It was planted when it was about 3' tall and it is now approx 12-15'. This has been an exceptionally bitterly cold winter, but I'm hopeful it will still make it through as it has before. I'm quite fond of this smaller tree.

Thanks everyone for the input! It's greatly appreciated. Yes - and sorry for the lack of latin - it's styrax japonicus I'm referring to.

Ken, I think you're quite right about the lake effect to the south of us. Probably good advice... I suppose my inability to find the tree at local nurseries is probably a good sign to look at other options. Not sure that I really want to take the chance if the odds aren't too good to begin with.

That being said, it's very encouraging to hear about your styrax japonicus doing so well in 5b, Thyme2dig. Do you mind my asking in what area you're located? And is yours in a particularly protected location, or have you done much to provide winter protection?

I'm in NH. I found that local nurseries didn't carry this tree at all. I had been looking for one for a number of years, and one day I stumbled upon a single specimen at a local nursery that tends to stock trees and shrubs that I can't find anywhere else. I scooped it up immediately. I visit Long Island Z7 frequently and hit many nurseries while I'm there and I never saw it in any nurseries there either. Maybe it's just not a popular plant in the retail trade?

I don't protect it at all in the winter. I thought everything I read about Styrax put it at Z5. My local perennial nursery has one planted in her display beds and has never had any issues with survivability in our zone either. Very late to leaf out in spring. If you can find a small, fairly inexpensive tree I think it's worth a shot!

" i have been gardening in z5 MI for 35 years.. and never heard of this... which tells me it is NOT a z5 plant ..."

If someone in z5 Michigan was growing it, would that tell you that it is a z5 plant? Are you familiar with all gardeners in z5 Michigan?

Thanks for the additional info, Thyme2dig... I guess we'll see whether I can find a small, inexpensive styrax in the spring... and whether I'm in a slightly risk-taking mood!

If mine survives this extremely bitterly cold winter, I'd think you'd be safe and it wouldn't be a risk. I'll let you know! But they're a bit late to leaf out so it'll be a while before I know for sure!

Have you thought about fringe tree, Chionanthus? Mine is about the same height as my styrax and quite close to the same vase shape. Unbelievably sweet smelling flowers in spring. Also late to leaf out, but it's a Z3 tree which is nice.

Yes, please let me know how yours comes through in the spring. I wasn't aware of Chionanthus, but it looks very nice, too. I'll definitely have a closer look at it as well.

I'm just a half hour north of T2D in central NH but am probably 1/2 zone colder than she is. I have a Chionanthus virginicus/fringe tree that's at least 5 years old and it has never had issues here. I also have several Halesia 'Wedding Bells' AKA 'UConn Wedding Bells' (I've seen this listed as H. tetraptera and as H. carolina) which is somewhat similar to Styrax but hardier, I think. When it was small, I had a bit of die back in areas that weren't sheltered, but it didn't have any problems last spring, and we got down to -17 last winter a couple of nights. We get to -15 or so most winters at least once, and this winter we have hit -21, so I think it will be a good test of its hardiness.

Halesia 'Wedding Bells' in much of the day sun

I also have one that is growing in almost full shade. It has grown much more slowly, and since it didn't suffer freeze damage the winter this one did, I has a more tree-like and less shrubby form than this one.

I have 2 Styrax japonicus, received them as seedlings at a plant swap in 2008, with other gardeners from the New England gardening forum. They came from a lady who lives on the coast, and is in a warmer zone. But they have done fine in my yard and are prob. about 6-8 ft in size, have flowered and produced seed the past 2 years.

I had not even considered that they were marginally hardy in this zone and they are not in a protected location whatsoever. In fact they have thrived in a dry location that has well drained sandy loam, partial shade, and in competition with the roots of 2 big Silver maples! They probably did get some watering the first year or two, but not after that.

I am hoping that some seedlings will appear under these shrubs, from seeds that have dropped to the ground. If they appear to suffer any damage from this fairly harsh winter, I'll come back and report that.

Seeds of Styrax japonicus first need a warm period, then a cold period for germination. If you sow them in late autumn they will usually germinate 16--18 months later (some seeds may take a year longer). You can shorten this period by first putting the seeds in a plastic bag with slightly moist sowing compost and store them at room temperature for 3 months. After this period put the bag in the fridge for 3 months. Then sow the seeds at warmth for germination in 1 to 2 months.

In my experience YOUNG plants might suffer frost damage in winter (branch tip die back) but maybe that's because I live in a European maritime climate with not enough warmth to ripen wood.

Oh, +om, thanks for the reminder. I read about that a while ago and completely forgot about that.

Thanks, Tom. I didn't know that, and EAB is present on the far side of my town, most probably brought in on out-of-state firewood by campers at a NASCAR track. I'm currently about 10 miles away . . . I guess my Chionanthus may be short-lived along with our native ashes. ;-(

And I just planted one a few weeks ago :(

Echoing Wisconsintom on potential EAB issues with Chionanthus virginicus, which is frequently grafted onto Fraxinus root stock. Have been looking for additional research and information but it is scarce at this point. Good luck with your Styrax!

Chionanthus belongs to the Oleaceae (olive family), just like Fraxinus. Don't think it matters if Chionanthus is grafted on Fraxinus rootstock or not to be attacked by EAB. First report of EAB attacking Chionanthus virginicus is from last year so this news is recent. It is not clear at this moment how big the threat of EAB for Chionanthus virginicus really is (potentially it could be big but we do not know for certain).

EAB attaking Chionanthus virginicus

Gardenprince is exactly right-the potential for EAB attacking Chionanthus has nothing to do with what it is or is not grafted onto. It's in the Oleaceae-just like the ash (Fraxinus), and therein lies the concern....and potential susceptibility.

+oM

Thanks, gentlemen. I stand corrected.

I’m a (very) latecomer to this conversation, however however, I stumbled across a lone specimen at a local garden centre 15 or so yrs ago. I had no idea what sort of tree it was or it’s growing requirements, (I was drawn to it on account of it’s heavenly fragrance - literally followed my nose to the thing:). Anyway, in our profound ignorance, we planted it at my mum’s house under a very large/old sugar maple (in Ancaster, Ontario) and the tree continues to thrive in that spot to this day:). I’ve been looking for a specimen for my own garden for years now without success. Does anyone know where I might locate one (Styrax Obassia/Large Leafed Japanese Snowbell specifically) in Ontario? if not, can you pls let me know the best tome to harvest the seeds so i can try to grow one for myself? Many thanks, Lisa O, Ancaster, Ontario, Canada.