Tree of the Week: Little-Leaf Snowbell (Styrax americana)

Our tree of the week is sometimes a small tree, but more often a shrub: the little-leaf snowbell (Styrax americana) tends to produce several stems, rather than a trunk. This week the elegant branches are covered in new leaves and delicate white flowers. Since this snowbell stays low to the ground, we are able to appreciate its beauty with ease, getting up-close and personal with this shrub and its pollinators.

The floodplain of the arboretum, towards the fitness center, is the primary location for the little-leaf snowbells. Ed Leuck made the first plantings in 1996, collected from Marion County, Texas. He planted six pots under a massive, and very old, sweet gum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua). The sweet gum was removed in 2006, and luckily the snowbells survived the removal. Today they are growing with chain fern (Lorinseria areolata) lizard-tail (Saururus cernuus).

Flower detail of Styrax americana

Branch covered in flowers and new leaves

Left: new leaf from Styrax grandifolia; Right: new leaf from Styrax americana

For more information about this species consult the following:
United States Department of Agriculture 
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

What's in Bloom?

Last week we had to say goodbye to the wildest of the wildflowers, as the arboretum was in need of a good mowing. So long daisy fleabane! We'll see you next year! But there are still plenty of beautiful blooms this week. Below are a few highlights from the irises, vines, shrubs and trees adding dashes of spectacular color to the grounds of the arboretum.

Purple Louisiana iris hybrids growing in the floodplain. The arboretum's iris collection is comprised of plants collected from across the state of Louisiana, including at the Caroline Dormon Nature Preserve.

Iris flower detail

Our native wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) has been flowering for a few weeks now.

These flowers are from a large Carolina allspice bush (Calycanthus floridus), growing alongside the arboretum drainage. The shrub is highly decorated in blooms this year.

Virginia willow (Itea virginica) located on the northeast corner of the main bridge running through the arboretum.

Little-leaf snowbell (Styrax americana) flowers are lightly fragrant.

The dewberry vines (Rubus trivialis) are now producing fruit.