Huodendron tibeticum

A rarely cultivated broad-leaved evergreen tree in the Styracaceae (Japanese Snowbell family). This forms an upright tree with incredibly smooth bark, from the twigs to the base of the trunk, even as a large, mature tree, very striking. Native to the Sino-Himalaya, this rare tree has shiny evergreen foliage with terminal panicles of small but fragrant white flowers. Reported as hardy in a handful of gardens in SE USA, showing some promise in cultivation. Our specimen has been untouched by heat or cold since it was planted out several years ago. Nice large specimens this year.