The tall Stewartia is a deciduous shrub or multi-stemmed tree that has smooth bark with thin exfoliating sheets, white Camellia-like flowers during the summer, and scarlet red foliage in the fall. It grows to a height of 20 to 25 feet and has a pyramidal shape. As it matures, the form is more open, multi-trunked with horizontal branches. The plant is a member of the Theaceae family and is related to the Camellia. The tall Stewartia is a native of Japan, and its habitat includes mountain forests. The plant is hardy to USDA Zones 6b to 8b. The genus's name, Stewarti a, is in honor of John Stuart who was a 16th-century Scottish botanist. The spelling was the result of a transcription error. During the 19th-century, the name Stuartia was used; however, the original spelling is now accepted. This plant does best in partial shade but is tolerant of full sun. It has an excellent heat tolerance. It tolerates well-drained clay, loam, sandy, and acidic soils. The plant also has a high drought tolerance. The methods of propagation include seeds or stem cuttings. The tall Stewartia is also known as the orangebark Stewartia. The bark is scaly and exfoliating with a smooth reddish-tan undersurface. The leaves are dark green with finely serrated margins in the spring and summer, and the fall foliage is red. The white cupped-shaped flowers measure 1 to 1.5 inches wide and have yellow-orangish stamens. The fruit is a hard, five-segmented capsule and appears in the fall. The tall Stewartia's heat and drought tolerance make this plant a well-suited specimen for the southern United States. The ornamental and multi-season features make it an excellent choice in the landscape. Consider the tall Stewartia for a shrub border, patio area, accent, lawn specimen, or street tree. Seasons of Interest: Foliage: Fall Bloom: Summer Fruit: Fall Bark: Winter Quick ID Hints: exfoliating bark and smooth surface of reddish reddish-tan below the bark reddish-brown to greenish-gray twigs dark green elliptic leaves with grayish-green undersides red fall foliage white Camellia-like flowers with orange stamens that bloom during the summer the fruit is a small oval woody capsule Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: The plant has no serious insect or disease problems. Compare this Plant to Stewartia pseudocamellia
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
The leaves are simple, alternate, and elliptical to ovate. The upper surface is dark green, and the undersides are grayish-green and covered with short hairs. The leaf measures 1.5 to 3 inches long, 0.5 to 1.5 inches wide, and the margins are finely serrated. The fall foliage is deep red.
Fall color
Red/Burgundy
Flower color
White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The flowers are white cupped-shaped, five-petaled, and measures 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. There are golden yellow stamens in the center of the bloom. Flowering occurs in June.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit is oval. reddish-brown, and measures 0.5 to 1 inch in length. They are finely pubescent, segmented, dry, and hard. There are two reddish-brown seeds in each segment.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Light Brown; Red/Burgundy
Bark detail
The bark is smooth and mottled with colors of cinnamon brown and tan. It exfoliates in thin sheets.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver; Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
The young twigs are reddish-brown and pubescent. They become smooth and grayish-green. The winter buds are compressed, hairy, and have overlapping scales.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Japan
Distribution
Native: Japan: south-central Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku Islands; Distribution: South Korea: Honshu, Kyushu; US: MA (Polly Hill Arboretum in West Tisbury), PA (Barnes Arboretum in Philadelphia and Henry Botanic Garden in Gladwyne) OR (Oregon State University Campus), WA (Washington Park Arboretum)