About

This deciduous tree with an upright, pyramidal habit, to around 8m with flaky, mottled bark when mature. Dark green foliage turns to reds and yellows in the autumn with camellia-like white flowers with golden yellow stamens appearing in the summer, followed by red fruit.

About the genus

Stewartia are deciduous trees or shrubs, often with attractive peeling bark, ovate leaves and showy white flowers; good autumn colour

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeTrees
HabitBushy, Columnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural

Care notes

CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, moist soil and protect from cold drying winds
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in mid to late summer. Propagate by seed (sown outdoors) in autumn
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility