One of My Favorite Trees

Japanese Stewartia

Common name: Japanese Stewartia

Latin Name: Stewartia pseudocamellia

Size: 20′ tall and 15-18′ wide, moderate grower

Stewartia is an uncommon ornamental decidous tree that compliments any garden. Its shape is narrow, more columnar; although it is not a true columnar. It flowers in late summer when most other flowering trees are done.

The single, five-petaled flowers are about the size of a sand dollar and white with yellow centers. But not known for a fragrance.

The flower of Stewartia

The bark of the Stewartia has a reddish-gray camouflage look, some describe it as a lightning bolt pattern. The bark exfoliates when the branches are approximately 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Ask your landscaper to plant a 2 to 3 inch caliper tree and it should be exfoliating.

Stewartia is climatically tempermental though. It grows in Zones 5 to 7, potentially 4 but here in Zone 5 the tree will need winter protection. This protection can be accomplished by its placement in the landscape garden. I tend to plant them on the Eastern side of a house or building, away from winter prevailing winds and the closer winter sun. The closeness and angle of the sun and the resulting snow glare can sunburn the Stewartia. Another option is a burlap wrap for winter.

I did plant Stewartia on the western side of one of my clients’ homes, but the houses are built closer together there and the other large trees planted nearby created a wind buffer.