A native of China and Japan and a cousin to the Silverbell, Pterostyrax corymbosus occupies a useful middle ground in the garden: never quite tree, never quite shrub, but reliably producing its fragrant white flowers at a young age. It matures to around 20 to 30 feet with a rounded form that loosens and opens as the years pass, and the gray-silver undersides of its leaves catch light in a way that lifts a shaded corner.

It performs best in deep, fertile, acidic soil with good drainage and a full-sun position — though some light afternoon shade is welcome in the hotter parts of its zone 5 to 9 range, where summer heat can stress it. Shelter from cold winter winds encourages reliable flowering, and winter is the right moment for any shaping cuts. Few trees this size bloom with such fragrance for so little fuss.