Schima argentea
- Phonetic Spelling
- SKEE-ma ar-JEN-tee-uh
- Description
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Silver Schima is an evergreen shrub or tree in the tea family (Theaceae). It is from subtropical regions of South-Central and Southeast China, Myanmar, and Vietnam. In its native habitat it is found on slopes in broad-leaved evergreen forests, in valleys, near farmland, and along roadsides. The genus name, Schima, is derived from the Greek word for shadow, skiasma. The species name argentea means "silvery," referring to the color of the underside of the leaves.
It prefers full sun to partial shade in acid-to-neutral, well-drained soils. Although it grows up to 50 feet tall to 20 feet wide in its native habitat, it is likely to stay smaller and even shrub-like in temperate conditions. Propagate from seeds.
Valued as an evergreen flowering tree or shrub, the Silver Schima is probably best used as a specimen, perhaps in an Asian-themed garden or at a woodland edge.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Schima
- Species:
- argentea
- Family:
- Theaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China South-Central, China Southeast, Myanmar, Vietnam
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit are globose capsules about 1/2 inch in diameter split into 5 valves containing winged seeds that mature in early winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Solitary or Raceme of 3 to 8 fragrant, small but showy white blooms with yellow stamens in late summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are evergreen glossy and smooth on top, with silvery-gray undersides with short, downy hairs. Their size ranges from 3-6 inches long and 3/4 to 2 inches wide with a leathery feel.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Lenticels
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The smooth brown bark has white lenticels.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Small Tree
