Stewartia pseudocamellia
(Japanese Stewartia, Deciduous Camellia)

Family - Theaceae
Category - Tree
Origin - Japan
Year of Introduction - prior to 1878
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Hardiness - H5
Height - 10m
Width - 7m
Location - The Woodland Walk

Description: A medium-sized Deciduous tree with an upright habit when young, but developing a more open, rounded habit with age. Dark green ovate to Elliptic leaves have finely toothed margins. Single, white, Camellia-like flowers, each with a cluster of golden yellow stamens at the centre, are produced from mid to late summer. This tree is also grown for the very attractive silver-grey and brown exfoliating bark which provides year-round interest (this feature develops with age). The leaves turn vivid shades of orange, yellow and red in autumn before falling.

Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Flower:

Single, white, bowl-shaped flowers, each with a central cluster of golden yellow stamens, are produced in July and August. The flowers are produced singly or in pairs along the branches and resemble those of Camellias.

Flower colour: White

Flower shape: Bowl-shaped flowers

Flowering time: July, August

Foliage:

Dark green ovate to Elliptic leaves have serrate margins. The leaves are Alternately arranged along the branches. The foliage turns vivid shades of yellow, orange and red in autumn.

Foliage Senescence: Deciduous

Foliage Shape: Ovate to elliptic

Autumn Colour: Yellow, orange, red

Propagation:

Cuttings, seed.

Cultivation:

Best in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture retentive soil that is well drained. Stewartia pseudocamellia requires an acidic soil.