Overview
Styrax benzoin is a bushy trees in the genus Styrax, part of the Styracaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Styrax benzoin grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include woodland garden, cottage and informal garden, low maintenance and flower borders and beds.
About
Styrax benzoin, commonly known as the gum Benjamin shrub or gum benzoin shrub, is a bushy, deciduous member of the Styrax genus within the Styracaceae family. This cultivar thrives in fertile, well-drained loam, clay, or sand soils with an acid to neutral pH, preferring full sun or partial shade in a sheltered, south-, east-, or west-facing aspect. It produces nodding, bell-shaped, pleasantly fragrant flowers in spring and summer, making it suitable for woodland gardens, cottage and informal gardens, and flower borders. It is hardy to UK zone H5 and can be propagated by softwood cuttings or fresh seed.
About the genus
Styrax is a genus of about 130 species of large shrubs or small trees in the family Styracaceae, mostly native to warm temperate to tropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with the majority in eastern and southeastern Asia, but also crossing the equator in South America. The resin obtained from the tree is called benzoin or storax, often used as a vanilla-like component in perfumery.
Wikipedia contributors, "Styrax", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Styrax
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Styrax
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Clay, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Styrax benzoin size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Woodland garden, Cottage and informal garden, Low Maintenance, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Styrax benzoin
- Propagation
- Softwood cuttings in summer, Seed sown fresh at 15°C reducing the temperature to 0 to 5°C after 3 months
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Styrax benzoin?
Styrax benzoin prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Styrax benzoin need?
Styrax benzoin is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including loam, clay and sand. It prefers acid and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Styrax benzoin hardy in the UK?
Styrax benzoin has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Styrax benzoin?
Softwood cuttings in summer, Seed sown fresh at 15°C reducing the temperature to 0 to 5°C after 3 months.
