Chinese Stewartia Stewartia sinensis
Previously known as:
- Stewartia gemmata
- Phonetic Spelling
- stew-ART-ee-uh sy-NEN-sis
- Description
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Chinese Stewartia is a large multi-stemmed shrub or small flowering tree with attractive peeling paper-like reddish-brown bark and bowl-shaped white flowers. The fruits are woody capsules that burst open into five segments. The crown is initially oval and then opens out. The shrub or tree may reach a height of 15 to 25 feet and 10 to 20 feet in width. The plant is a member of the Theaceae family and is related to the Camellia. It is grown for its ornamental value.
This species is native to Central and Southeast China. It is typically found in forests, thickets, or the scrub of mountains.
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, sinensis, is Latin and means "from China."
The Chinese Stewartia performs best if planted in full to partial sun or dappled shade. It prefers moist, well-drained, high organic matter, and acidic soils. It also prefers to be sheltered from strong winds. They are intolerant to drought and require high rainfall. The plant may be reproduced by seeds, softwood cuttings, or layering.
The bark is reddish-brown and peels revealing light brown to sand-colored bast. The leaves are dark green and ovate. The fall foliage is reddish-brown to reddish-purple. The flowers bloom from May to July and are fragrant, white, bowled-shaped with golden yellow stamens. The fruits are woody capsules that are present from September to November.
The Chinese Stewartia is grown for its four seasons of interest and ornamental value. Consider this shrub or small tree as an accent or specimen in your home garden for added color and year-round pleasure. Bees are attracted to the flowers. This plant would be a lovely addition to an informal or pollinator garden.
Seasons of interest:
Foliage: Fall Bloom: Summer Fruit: Fall Bark and Stems: Winter
Quick ID Hints:
- peeling reddish-brown bark with light brown or tan bast
- dark green ovate leaves
- fall foliage brownish-red to purple
- white Camellia-like flowers with golden stamens
- woody capsule fruits
Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: There are no serious insect or disease problems. The plant prefers shelter and is drought intolerant.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Mei Lu Shu'
rosy fall foliage - 'Panache'
variegated speckled leaves
- 'Mei Lu Shu'
- 'Mei Lu Shu', 'Panache'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Mei Lu Shu'
rosy fall foliage - 'Panache'
variegated speckled leaves
- 'Mei Lu Shu'
- 'Mei Lu Shu', 'Panache'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Stewartia
- Species:
- sinensis
- Family:
- Theaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and Southeast China
- Distribution:
- Native: China North-Central, China South-Central, and China Southeast
- Wildlife Value:
- The flowers attract bees.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Drought intolerant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-stemmed
- Open
- Oval
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- 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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Cream/Tan
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a woody capsule that is cone-shaped and densely hairy. The capsule opens at the tip into five segments. The seeds are obovate and measure less than 1/3 inches long. The fruits appear from September to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are Camellia-like, showy, slightly fragrant, and solitary. The bracts and sepals are ovate and leaflike. The white petals are broadly ovate and have yellow stamens. The blooms measure 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter and appear from May to July.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are simple, elliptic to obovate-elliptic, and measure 2 to 4 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide. The upper surface is green and smooth, and the underside is yellowish-green and pubescent. The leaf margins are serrated. The leaf base is rounded, and the apex is acute. The fall foliage color is reddish-brown to reddish-purple.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Papery
- Peeling
- Bark Description:
- The bark is reddish-brown, mottled, peeling, and papery. The peeling bark reveals the light brown to tan-colored bast.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Scaly
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The petioles and stems are purplish-red and may be smooth or pubescent.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
