An incredible accent tree with magnificent mottled bark in cream, brown and tan, stunning in winter; showy large white flowers with orange centers in early summer; needs organic, acidic soil and protection from drying winds; year round interest
Chinese Stewartia is a dense deciduous tree with a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Chinese Stewartia features delicate white flowers with orange anthers along the branches in mid summer. It has forest green deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves turn an outstanding red in the fall. The mottled khaki (brownish-green) bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest.
Chinese Stewartia will grow to be about 22 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 22 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more.
