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Stewartia malacodendron is often confused with:
Stewartia pseudocamellia Leaves
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Stewartia ovata Stewartia ovata
Aesculus flava Tree in full bloom
Halesia carolina Full Form

Virginia Stewartia Stewartia malacodendron

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
stew-AR-tee-ah mah-lah-koh-DEN-dron
Description

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:
Tags:
#heavy shade tolerant#native shrub#purple#slow growing#fruits early fall#orange fruits#early summer flowers#red fruits#acidic soils tolerant#deciduous#rich soils#large shrub#deciduous shrub#white#late spring flowers#shade garden#shade shrub#food source#showy#fall color orange#food source fall#multitrunked#well-drained soil#NC native#fall color red#tree#fruits#food source hard mast fruit#flowering shrub#partial shade tolerant#fall color#loamy soils tolerant#deciduous tree#flowering tree#small tree#white flowers#native tree#exfoliating bark#spring interest#shade flowers#audubon#summmer flowers#native garden#large flowers#showy flowers#attractive leaves#moist soil#partial sun tolerant#summer interest#shrub#fall interest#fruits fall#spring flowers
 
Stewartia malacodendron
Flower Eleanor CC BY-NC 4.0
Stewartia malacodendron
Fruit and Leaves Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Stewartia malacodendron
Flowers (Haywood County, NC) Marcia Boyle CC BY 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heavy shade tolerant#native shrub#purple#slow growing#fruits early fall#orange fruits#early summer flowers#red fruits#acidic soils tolerant#deciduous#rich soils#large shrub#deciduous shrub#white#late spring flowers#shade garden#shade shrub#food source#showy#fall color orange#food source fall#multitrunked#well-drained soil#NC native#fall color red#tree#fruits#food source hard mast fruit#flowering shrub#partial shade tolerant#fall color#loamy soils tolerant#deciduous tree#flowering tree#small tree#white flowers#native tree#exfoliating bark#spring interest#shade flowers#audubon#summmer flowers#native garden#large flowers#showy flowers#attractive leaves#moist soil#partial sun tolerant#summer interest#shrub#fall interest#fruits fall#spring flowers
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Description:
    In North Carolina, the fruits are available from September to October.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Bark:
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Bark Description:
    Attractive exfoliating bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Shade Garden