Virginia Stewartia Stewartia malacodendron
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- stew-AR-tee-ah mah-lah-koh-DEN-dron
- Description
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Stewartia malacodendron, commonly referred to as Silky Camellia, is a deciduous shrub native to North Carolina. In nature, it can be found in mesic forests, especially on beech-dominated bluffs or "upland islands" in Coastal Plain swamps.
Lightly striped cinnamon-colored bark; fertilize sparingly; slow grower; glossy green leaves; transplant only young plants in late winter or early spring; can be multi-trunked shrub or small tree with attractive exfoliating bark; good fall color (red-orange); large (2 to 3") white flowers with purple-red stamens.
It cannot tolerate wet feet.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Stewartia
- Species:
- malacodendron
- Family:
- Theaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South East U.S.A. to Texas
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- 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)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- In North Carolina, the fruits are available from September to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- White petals with purple stamens and blue pollen. .5" woody egg-shaped capsule. In North Carolina, the flowers are available from May to June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Orange
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Dark green leaves, 2-4". Purple-bronze to red-orange fall color.
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Bark:
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Bark Description:
- Attractive exfoliating bark
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Shade Garden
