Stewartia ovata

The mountain camellia is a large ornamental deciduous shrub or small tree that is native to the piedmont and mountains of North Carolina. The plant may reach a height of 10 to 15 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide and has a rounded to oval habit. The showy white-cupped to saucer-shaped flowers bloom during the summer and have different colored stamens, depending on the cultivar. The orange to scarlet fall foliage adds interest to the landscape. The plant is a member of the Theaceae family and is related to the Camellia.

The mountain camellia is also known as mountain Stewartia or summer dogwood. It is native to the southeastern United States and may be found in the southern Appalachian Mountains and Piedmont areas from Virginia to Alabama along wooded stream margins. In nature, it can also be found in shaded ravines, mesic forests, especially acidic bluffs, and often in the openings of rhododendron thickets.

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. The species name, ovata, is translated as "egg-shaped" and references the shape of the leaves.

This slow-growing plant prefers full sun to partial shade. In very hot climates the leaves may develop leaf scorch. It is best to provide shelter from the hot sun. Moist, well-drained, rich loamy soils are best tolerated. This plant is sensitive to heat, drought, and soil compaction.  It is known to be difficult to cultivate and transplant. The methods of propagation include softwood cuttings and seeds.

The bark of the mountain camellia is ridged and furrowed. The foliage is dark green in the spring and summer, and the fall foliage is in shades of orange and red. The flowers are camellia-like and the five petals have fringed or ruffled edges and the center of the flower has orange anthers. The fruits are small oval-shaped woody capsules. 

This rare species would add a special interest as an accent, specimen, border, or understory tree.  Consider the mountain camellia for a patio, lawn, native garden, or cottage garden.

NC native shrub or tree

Seasons of Interest:

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

Quick ID Hints:

• the bark has gray-brown ridges and orangish-brown furrows
• young stems are reddish-brown and have a zigzag pattern
• spring and summer foliage is dark green and the fall foliage is orange to scarlet
• showy solitary, five-petalled, white Camellia-like flowers with ruffled petal edges, and orange anthers
• fruits are oval woody capsules and contain reddish-brown seeds

Insects, Disease, and Other Problems: The mountain camellia has no serious insect or disease problems. It is sensitive to drought and soil compaction. In hot summer climates, leaf scorch may occur if the tree is planted in full sun.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common camellia diseases and insect pests.