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. sinensis – Suartia sinensis – Chinese Stewartia – This broadly conical, deciduous tree from Central and Eastern China grows 30-70′ feet tall and 22′ feet wide. It has peeling reddish brown to purple bark. It produces ovate or elliptic, toothed, pointed, dark green leaves , to 4″ long, turning crimson in autumn. In late spring and early summer it bears rose like, cup shaped, fragrant white flowers, 2″ across, with yellow anthers are carried singly.
Zones 5-8
