Upright Stewartia Stewartia rostrata
- Phonetic Spelling
- stew-ART-ee-ah ro-STRAY-tah
- Description
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Upright Stewartia is a deciduous multi-trunked tree or shrub growing to 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide and is native to eastern China. The spring flowers are up to 2.5 inch wide cup-shaped white flowers with yellow stamens and a light fragrance. The glossy green leaves have reddish fall color. The persistent seed capsules add additional interest.
Plant this tree in fertile, well-drained, acidic, moist soil in partial sun to filtered shade. It does not tolerate drought and needs protection from winds. They can be a bit fussy and are difficult to transplant. Use in a woodland setting as a flowering tree or a specimen in a shady yard.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Stewartia
- Species:
- rostrata
- Family:
- Theaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern China
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 40 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
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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 pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Beaked seed capsule red maturing to brown
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 2-2.5" white flowers with reddish tinged bracts in May
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leathery glossy green leaves are ovate to elliptic with acuminate apices, rounded bases, and serrate margins. 2-4 inches long by 1-1.5 inches wide. Undersides with tufts of hairs in vein axils. Fall color in reds/yellow
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- Bark gray-brown, furrowed and ridged
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Scales:
- Enclosed in more than 2 scales
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
