About
An upright to spreading, deciduous shrub or small tree with dark green, oval leaves often turning red in autumn. In late spring to early summer it produces white flowers, sometimes pink-flushed, up to 4cm across.
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 typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Architectural
Native toSE China
Care notes
CultivationGrows well in woodland conditions, favouring a moist, humus-rich, lime-free soil in partial shade. The roots must be fully shaded from hot sun and they resent disturbance or transplanting
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in late-summer. Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold-frame 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