Chinese Stewartia is a large multi-stemmed shrub or small flowering tree with attractive peeling paper-like reddish-brown bark and bowl-shaped white flowers. The fruits are woody capsules that burst open into five segments. The crown is initially oval and then opens out. The shrub or tree may reach a height of 15 to 25 feet and 10 to 20 feet in width. The plant is a member of the Theaceae family and is related to the Camellia. It is grown for its ornamental value. This species is native to Central and Southeast China. It is typically found in forests, thickets, or the scrub of mountains. The genus's name, Stewartia , 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. The species name, sinensis, is Latin and means "from China." The Chinese Stewartia performs best if planted in full to partial sun or dappled shade. It prefers moist, well-drained, high organic matter, and acidic soils. It also prefers to be sheltered from strong winds. They are intolerant to drought and require high rainfall. The plant may be reproduced by seeds, softwood cuttings, or layering. The bark is reddish-brown and peels revealing light brown to sand-colored bast. The leaves are dark green and ovate. The fall foliage is reddish-brown to reddish-purple. The flowers bloom from May to July and are fragrant, white, bowled-shaped with golden yellow stamens. The fruits are woody capsules that are present from September to November. The Chinese Stewartia is grown for its four seasons of interest and ornamental value. Consider this shrub or small tree as an accent or specimen in your home garden for added color and year-round pleasure. Bees are attracted to the flowers. This plant would be a lovely addition to an informal or pollinator garden. Seasons of interest: Foliage: Fall Bloom: Summer Fruit: Fall Bark and Stems: Winter Quick ID Hints: peeling reddish-brown bark with light brown or tan bast dark green ovate leaves fall foliage brownish-red to purple white Camellia-like flowers with golden stamens woody capsule fruits Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: There are no serious insect or disease problems. The plant prefers shelter and is drought intolerant.
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.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
24-60 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Multi-stemmed; Open; Oval
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Obovate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaves are simple, elliptic to obovate-elliptic, and measure 2 to 4 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide. The upper surface is green and smooth, and the underside is yellowish-green and pubescent. The leaf margins are serrated. The leaf base is rounded, and the apex is acute. The fall foliage color is reddish-brown to reddish-purple.
Fall color
Brown/Copper; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The flowers are Camellia-like, showy, slightly fragrant, and solitary. The bracts and sepals are ovate and leaflike. The white petals are broadly ovate and have yellow stamens. The blooms measure 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter and appear from May to July.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Cream/Tan
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit is a woody capsule that is cone-shaped and densely hairy. The capsule opens at the tip into five segments. The seeds are obovate and measure less than 1/3 inches long. The fruits appear from September to November.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Light Brown; Red/Burgundy
Bark detail
The bark is reddish-brown, mottled, peeling, and papery. The peeling bark reveals the light brown to tan-colored bast.
Stem color
Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
The petioles and stems are purplish-red and may be smooth or pubescent.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Central and Southeast China
Distribution
Native: China North-Central, China South-Central, and China Southeast
Wildlife value
The flowers attract bees.
Attracts
Bees
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Attracts Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Woodland
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; Pollinator Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Flowering Tree; Small Tree; Specimen
Garden tags
#flowering tree #showy flowers #deciduous #flowers mid-summer #interesting bark #white flowers #small tree #deciduous tree #cottage garden #peeling bark #summer flowers #fall interest #broadleaf #winter interest #fragrant flowers #bee friendly #ornamental tree #pollinator plant #fruits fall #drought intolerant #deciduous shrub #wind damage prone