Stewartia monadelpha

Orangebark Stewartia, Tall Stewartia

Deciduous Tree

Stewartia monadelpha is a lovely small- to medium-sized tree for a woodland garden setting. Its multi-season talents include summertime camellia-like blooms in white, fabulous red fall color, and sinuously smooth bark that looks great year-round. Compared to Stewartia pseudocamelliaits flowers are smaller and understated. Both have the fantastically ornamental bark, though they differ in coloring. The tall stewartia (S. monadelpha) has smooth bark in orangey, cinnamon-brown. The bark of Japanese Stewartia (S. pseudocamellia) is cream-to-gray and has a mottled pattern that resembles camouflage.

Stewartia monadelpha is relatively slow-growing and its form can be a bit gangly in youth. But the wait is definitely worth it. A well-grown, mature specimen will take your breath away (be sure to check out the gallery of photos on this page). Though deserving of space in more gardens, it can be inconsistently available and bit hard to find. And when you find one for sale in a garden center, they're often on the small side. So it can take some patience to get it up to size.

Growing Conditions

Zone: 6, 7, 8

Exposure: Part Sun, Part Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Open Shade

Water Needs: Regular / Even

Description

Size: 120 - 180 tall x 120 - 180 wide
Shape / Form: Upright
Foliage Texture: Medium
Foliage Quality: Medium

Features: Attractive Bark or Stem, Fall Color, Low Maintenance, Winter Interest, Year-round Interest

Foliage Color: Green
Fall Color: Red Orange

Flower Color: White
Bloom Season: Summer
Flower Shape: Single


Uses and Applications

Landscape Uses: Mixed Border, Structure / Foundation
Special Situations: Courtyard / Urban Garden

More Design Considerations

Season of Interest: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, Pleasing Seasonal Changes, Year-round Interest, Three Seasons of Interest
Position / Role: canopy
Plant Behavior: Slow Growing
Collections: eGardenGo Favorite, Great Plant Pick

Care and Maintenance

Maintenance Level: medium


Plant Combos