Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Oregon, USA

Common name: Japanese Stewartia

Family: Theaceae

Distribution: Japan

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Hardiness: Zone 5b -15 to -10 F

Life form: Deciduous tree

Usage: Ornamental flowering tree

Comments: Japanese stewartia, is a small, slow-growing, pyramidal, deciduous tree native to the mountains of Japan and the Korean peninsula. Specimens in the wild can reach 50-60' tall, but in cultivation typically mature over time to 20-40' tall with a slightly narrower canopy width. Can also be grown as a large, multi-stemmed shrub reaching 12-15' tall. Cup-shaped, camellia-like white flowers to 2.5" diameter with showy orange-yellow anthers appear in early summer. Elliptic, dark green foliage to 3" long turns attractive shades of reddish-orange and burgundy in autumn. Exfoliating, reddish-brown bark provides good winter color and interest.
Best grown in evenly moist, organically rich, moderately acidic, well-drained sandy loams in full sun to part shade. Does not perform well in heavy, clay soils, dry soils, thin, rocky soils and soils with poor drainage. Requires consistent moisture and is intolerant of drought.