Stewartia monadelpha

The tall Stewartia is a deciduous shrub or multi-stemmed tree that has smooth bark with thin exfoliating sheets, white Camellia-like flowers during the summer, and scarlet red foliage in the fall.  It grows to a height of 20 to 25 feet and has a pyramidal shape. As it matures, the form is more open, multi-trunked with horizontal branches. The plant is a member of the Theaceae family and is related to the Camellia.

The tall Stewartia is a native of Japan, and its habitat includes mountain forests. The plant is hardy to USDA Zones 6b to 8b.

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. 

This plant does best in partial shade but is tolerant of full sun. It has an excellent heat tolerance. It tolerates well-drained clay, loam, sandy, and acidic soils. The plant also has a high drought tolerance. The methods of propagation include seeds or stem cuttings.

The tall Stewartia is also known as the orangebark Stewartia. The bark is scaly and exfoliating with a smooth reddish-tan undersurface. The leaves are dark green with finely serrated margins in the spring and summer, and the fall foliage is red. The white cupped-shaped flowers measure 1 to 1.5 inches wide and have yellow-orangish stamens. The fruit is a hard, five-segmented capsule and appears in the fall.

The tall Stewartia's heat and drought tolerance make this plant a well-suited specimen for the southern United States. The ornamental and multi-season features make it an excellent choice in the landscape. Consider the tall Stewartia for a shrub border, patio area, accent, lawn specimen, or street tree.

Seasons of Interest:

Foliage:  Fall        Bloom:  Summer      Fruit: Fall      Bark:  Winter

Quick ID Hints:

• exfoliating bark and smooth surface of reddish reddish-tan below the bark
• reddish-brown to greenish-gray twigs
• dark green elliptic leaves with grayish-green undersides
• red fall foliage
• white Camellia-like flowers with orange stamens that bloom during the summer
• the fruit is a small oval woody capsule

Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems:  The plant has no serious insect or disease problems.

Compare this Plant to  Stewartia pseudocamellia