Stewartia pseudocamellia (21/10/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 15m
Eventual Spread: 15m
Hardiness: 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Family: Theaceae
Stewartia pseudocamellia is a deciduous tree with a rounded to pyramidal habit. Its mid green leaves are ovate with mildly serrate margins, up to 12cm long and 5cm broad. Its leaves turn orange/ red in autumn before they fall. Its branches. Its bark is smooth, brown, green and pink and flaking. Its white flowers are cup shaped with 5 petals and up to 8cm across. Its fruit is a brown triangular capsule.
Stewartia pseudocamellia Autumn Leaf (21/10/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Stewartia pseudocamellia, commonly known as Deciduous Camellia, Deciduous Stewartia or Japanese Stewartia, is native to Japan and Korea.
The etymological root of the binomial name Stewartia. Pseudocamellia is derived from the Greek pseudo meaning ‘false’ and Camellia another genus of shrub.
The landscape architect may find Stewartia pseudocamellia useful as an attractive small tree with large summer flowers and autumn leaf color. It dislikes excessive summer heat.
Ecologically, Stewartia pseudocamellia flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given Stewartia pseudocamellia their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Stewartia pseudocamellia Autumn Bark (21/10/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Stewartia pseudocamellia prefers moist, organic rich, well-drained soils. It prefers an acid to neutral pH of soil.
Stewartia pseudocamellia requires little maintenance. If necessary, this tree may be lightly pruned in late winter.
