Japanese snowbell tree

This is a popular oriental tree for small gardens, because it is easily pruned to restrict its size and may even be grown as a large shrub if pruned harder after flowering. When in flower, the blooms hang face downwards, massed in clusters along the full length of the almost horizontal branches, and they need to be seen from below to appreciate their special charm. They are pure white, fragrant and bell-shaped, with a central tuft of bright yellow stamens. In a warm summer, small greyish green fruits are formed.