VIU Milner Gardens and Woodland

Plant Pick: Japanese Stewartia

Latin name: Stewartia pseudocamellia

Article written by the Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association

Japanese Stewartia

Stewartia pseudocamellia, is a medium size deciduous flowering tree and belongs to the Theaceae family.  It’s beautiful white flowers with orange anthers appear from June through August and are a similar shape to a Camellia flower which is in the same family. It grows to approximately 6-12m in height, with a pyramidal to oval shape.  The bark of this tree is multi-colored and peels in strips of gray, orange, and reddish-brown year-round. Leaves are dark green, 5-9cm long and change to a vibrant orange, red, burgundy color in the fall. 

Attribute Description
Form:

Multi-stemmed, oval shaped with low branches

Foliage:

Broadleaf

Height/Width:

12 to 40 feet tall and 8 to 25 feet wide

Hardiness Zone:

Zones 5 - 8

Exposure:

Full sun to partial shade

Flower shape and colour:

White

Leaf colour:

Dark green turning orange/red in the fall

Flower time:

June - August

Preferred soil and watering:

Well-draining Sandy/loam with high Organic Matter

Pests and diseases:
Other:

This tree may be propagated by seeds and softwood cuttings and has no serious insect or disease problems.