Plant-A-Day 2020 (Day 166) Styrax japonicus

This tree was a seedling growing outside a fence in Broadview. Brother Tim and I discovered them on an adventure somewhere. It was only a few inches tall at that time, almost twenty years ago. I grew the plant in a pot for a few years and then decided it would be the perfect tree to plant near our koi pond in the woodland garden.

The tree grew quickly and gracefully and is beautiful next to the pond. I read somewhere, about ten years ago, that Styrax can be poisonous to fish! We’ve had no problems with the koi, but we cover the pond in the fall to keep leaves out and net all the flowers out that have dropped off the tree in June.

My 2020 plans for this plant are to keep it trimmed, if needed, and enjoy the dappled shade it provides to the koi pond.