Stewartia pseudocamellia, Japanese stewartia
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Stewartia pseudocamellia

Japanese stewartia

TheaceaeJapan

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height20-40 feet (6-12 m)
Width15-25 feet (4.6-7.6 m)
Maturity25 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Deer Resistant
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Stewartia pseudocamellia is a deciduous tree reaching 20-40 feet (6-12 m) tall with a spread of 15-25 feet (4.6-7.6 m), developing a broadly pyramidal to rounded crown. Often cited as one of the finest four-season ornamental trees available. Bark exfoliates in irregular patches to create a distinctive patchwork mosaic of gray, tan, cinnamon, orange, and cream — one of the most ornamental barks of any deciduous tree, developing with age and increasingly spectacular over time. Leaves are alternate, simple, elliptic to obovate, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, dark glossy green, turning brilliant red, orange, and purple in fall — among the best fall color of any small tree in the Pacific Northwest. Flowers are white, camellia-like, 5-petaled, 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) across, with prominent yellow-orange stamens, borne singly along branches in June to July. Individual flowers last 1-2 days but open sequentially over 3-4 weeks. The species name 'pseudocamellia' (false camellia) refers to the flower resemblance. Growth rate is slow at 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) per year. Resents transplanting; establish from container-grown stock. The Pacific Northwest provides ideal growing conditions. A Great Plant Picks recommendation.

Native Range

Native to Japan, occurring in moist montane forests. Introduced to Western horticulture in 1874. The Korean stewartia (S. pseudocamellia Koreana Group) is sometimes treated as a separate species (S. koreana); it has wider-opening, flatter flowers.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a premium specimen tree where the four-season interest — flowers, fall color, bark, and winter silhouette — can be fully appreciated, spaced 15-25 feet (4.6-7.6 m) from other trees. Site near paths, patios, or windows where bark can be observed year-round, particularly in winter low-angle light. Effective as a lawn specimen, at woodland edges, or in courtyards. Combines well with rhododendrons, Japanese maples, and ferns. Worth the slow growth and premium nursery cost. A Great Plant Picks recommendation.

How to Identify

Identified by patchwork mosaic bark in shades of gray, tan, cinnamon, orange, and cream, broadly pyramidal form, white camellia-like flowers with yellow-orange stamens, and dark glossy green leaves turning brilliant red to purple in fall. Distinguished from S. monadelpha by broader pyramidal (not narrowly upright) form, larger flowers (2-3 vs 1-1.5 inches), patchwork mosaic (not uniformly cinnamon) bark, and yellow-orange (not violet-purple) stamens.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 40'
Width/Spread15' - 25'

Reaches mature size in approximately 25 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

red
orange
purple

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Summer
White camellia-like flowers with yellow-orange stamens appear singly along branches in June to July, lasting 3-4 weeks. Individual flowers are short-lived (1-2 days) but open sequentially, providing an extended bloom period. Flowers are borne along the branches rather than in terminal clusters, creating a scattered, naturalistic display against the dark foliage.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White with yellow-orange stamens

Foliage Description

Dark glossy green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loampeat
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

8-15 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water regularly; stewartias require consistent moisture, particularly during the first 3-5 years. Mulch 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) with organic matter to maintain cool, moist root conditions. Plant in part shade to full sun; afternoon shade is beneficial in warmer locations. Requires acidic, moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Resents transplanting; establish in a permanent location from container-grown stock while young. Protect from hot, drying winds. Essentially pest- and disease-free when properly sited. Slow to establish but long-lived and increasingly beautiful.

Pruning

Minimal pruning needed or recommended. Establish a central leader in youth if multiple leaders develop. Remove crossing, dead, and damaged branches in late winter. Do not remove lower branches unless necessary — the bark display on trunk and scaffold limbs is a primary ornamental feature. Stewartias have a naturally elegant form; avoid heavy pruning. Light corrective pruning only.

Pruning Schedule

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winter

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic