Hime-syara Stewartia Stewartia monadelpha
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Stewartia sericea
- Phonetic Spelling
- stew-AR-tee-ah mon-ah-DEL-fuh
- Description
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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
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Black Dog'
Purple fall foliage
- 'Black Dog'
- 'Black Dog'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Black Dog'
Purple fall foliage
- 'Black Dog'
- 'Black Dog'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Stewartia
- Species:
- monadelpha
- Family:
- Theaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan
- Distribution:
- Native: Japan: south-central Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku Islands; Distribution: South Korea: Honshu, Kyushu; US: MA (Polly Hill Arboretum in West Tisbury), PA (Barnes Arboretum in Philadelphia and Henry Botanic Garden in Gladwyne) OR (Oregon State University Campus), WA (Washington Park Arboretum)
- Wildlife Value:
- Its flowers will attract bees.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Horizontal
- Multi-trunked
- Open
- Pyramidal
- Rounded
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- 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
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is oval. reddish-brown, and measures 0.5 to 1 inch in length. They are finely pubescent, segmented, dry, and hard. There are two reddish-brown seeds in each segment.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are white cupped-shaped, five-petaled, and measures 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. There are golden yellow stamens in the center of the bloom. Flowering occurs in June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are simple, alternate, and elliptical to ovate. The upper surface is dark green, and the undersides are grayish-green and covered with short hairs. The leaf measures 1.5 to 3 inches long, 0.5 to 1.5 inches wide, and the margins are finely serrated. The fall foliage is deep red.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark is smooth and mottled with colors of cinnamon brown and tan. It exfoliates in thin sheets.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Hairy
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The young twigs are reddish-brown and pubescent. They become smooth and grayish-green. The winter buds are compressed, hairy, and have overlapping scales.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Specimen
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat