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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Washington, D.C. » National Arboretum » Floral and Nursery Plants Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #270547
Title: ‘Spring Showers’ Japanese Snowbell

Author
item Reed, Sandra

Submitted to: Journal of Environmental Horticulture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/24/2012
Publication Date: 6/1/2012
Citation: Reed, S.M. 2012. ‘Spring Showers’ Japanese Snowbell. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 30(2):110-111.

Interpretive Summary: A Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonicus) cultivar was released in 2011 by the U.S. National Arboretum. ‘Spring Showers’ was selected for its delayed bud break, which allows it to escape damage from late spring freezes. It has grown to 12 ft tall and 8 ft wide in 10 years. In mid to late spring, it is covered with white, fragrant, ¾ inch diameter flowers that hang below the foliage. ‘Spring Showers’ is cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8 and can be grown in full sun or partial shade. It is well suited for use as a specimen plant or in mixed borders. Because of its delayed bud break, ‘Spring Showers’ is particularly useful in areas that are frequently subject to late spring freezes. ‘Spring Showers’ is an attractive selection with dark green, lustrous foliage, upright growth habit and heavy flower production. ‘Spring Showers’ should be available in the retail trade in 2013 or 2014.

Technical Abstract: A Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonicus) cultivar was released in 2011 by the U.S. National Arboretum. ‘Spring Showers’ was selected from a group of open-pollinated seedlings for its delayed bud break, which allows it to escape damage from late spring freezes. It has grown to 12 ft tall and 8 ft wide in 10 years. In mid to late spring, it is covered with white, fragrant, ¾ inch diameter flowers that hang below the foliage. ‘Spring Showers’ is cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8 and can be grown in full sun or partial shade. It is well suited for use as a specimen plant or in mixed borders. Because of its delayed bud break, ‘Spring Showers’ is particularly useful in areas that are frequently subject to late spring freezes. ‘Spring Showers’ is an attractive selection with dark green, lustrous foliage, upright growth habit and heavy flower production