Description
Stewartia – Stuartia –
There are 15-20 deciduous or evergreen trees and shrubs, closely allied to Camellias, in this genus. They are found naturally occurring from woodlands in Eastern Asia and Southeastern USA. They are grown for their often colored and peeling, sometime in a camouflage cloth like pattern bark, their elliptical simple, usually toothed, 2-6″ long leaves, which color to bright orange and red in autumn, and their cup shaped white flowers, to 4″ across with prominent stamens, carried singly or in clusters of 2 or 3’s. Use as a specimen.
Grow in moist but well drained, moderately fertile, humus rich, neutral to acidic soil in full sun or light, dappled shade, with shelter from strong winds.
S. ovata – Mountain Stewartia – Mountain Camellia – Stuartia Ovata – S. pentagyna – Is a slow growing, broadly upright, bushy deciduous shrub from Southeastern USA and grows 15-20′ feet tall and 10-12′ feet wide. It produces oval shaped,,, sparsely toothed or smooth edged, mid green leaves, 3-6″ long, red tinged when young, downy beneath, turning orange and red in autumn. Rose like, bowl shaped white flowers, 2-4″ across, with creamy yellow or rose pink stamens, are borne singly, in mid and late summer.
Zones 3-9
