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Stewartia pseudocamellia Koreana Group

Also Known As

Stewartia koreana
Stewartia pseudocamellia var. koreana
Korean Stewartia

Plant type

tree

size

H: 15'-40'
W: 20'-25'

planting zones

5a-8b

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Stewartia pseudocamellia Koreana Group plant details

Stewartia pseudocamellia Koreana Group is a moderate-growing broadleaf deciduous tree with green foliage. In spring and summer white flowers emerge followed by brown fruit. Attracts birds. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in acidic, rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Stewartia pseudocamellia Koreana Group

Plant type: tree
Plant family: theaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 20 FT - 25 FT - wide, 15 FT - 40 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring and summer
Uses: distinctive bark, fall color, peeling bark, street tree, winter interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Stewartia pseudocamellia Koreana Group

USDA Zones: 5a - 8b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular

Soil needs: acidic, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

The lovely white flowers of this variety are said to lie flatter (to 3" across) and its fall color may be an even finer (is that possible?!) reds yellows; a wonderful 20-40' tree with handsome peeling bark. PSh/M

By: Forestfarm

Stewartia pseudocamellia, also called Deciduous Camellia, is one of the most sought out shrubs in the nursery trade because of its full year-round appeal. In the late spring or early summer, Camellia-like blooms cover the plant and in the fall the leaves turn a beautiful orange with hints of red. The bark really makes a show during the winter after the leaves drop with round colorful sections of the bark alternating between light and dark in a random pattern, although of course the bark patterns are beautiful in all seasons.

With pruning, Stewartia can be kept smaller and shrub-like or left on its own to develop into a small to medium sized tree. These make a fantastic street tree because they require little pruning or maintenance and display such a wide variety of colors throughout the year.

Stewartia is in the Camellia family and the two are closely related with similar flowers and habits, except that Stewartia is much more cold hardy and deciduous.

By: Red Panda Nursery

One of the best small trees for multi season interest, the Korean form of Stewartia differs from the species by having more open facing white 2-3" camellia like flowers in early summer, and a more narrow upright form. Fabulous fall colors of golds, orange and russet reds provide a changing picture, and in winter its wonderful mottled bark commands attention. Shipping 30-40" plants in 1 gallon pots.

By: Avant Gardens

The Korean Stewardia has a slow growth rate starting with a pyramidal form in its youth becoming oval with age. Brilliant crimson fall color! Growth Rate medium

By: Garden World

Flowers reported to be more open-faced than Japanese Stewartia, but our (former Princeton Nursery source) stock plants have flowers cupped in addition to open-faced, even on the same plant. Appears to be somewhat more compact-growing than wild-source Japanese Stewartia seedlings. Otherwise, its landscape attributes are essentially equivalent. Interestingly, our plants thrive on soils approaching pH 6.5, despite this genus being described as requiring strongly acidic soils. An exceptional candidate for a large wooden box on a patio with late afternoon shade.

By: Heritage Seedlings

A splendid form with flowers that open wider than the species. Bark on the trunk and branches flakes, giving it a look of beautifully marked snakeskin. A medium sized tree with a narrow, pyramidal habit. Exceptionally bright fall colors.

By: Greer Gardens Inc.

This is close to a perfect tree for the garden: 12-15 ', good camellia type flower in early summer, scarlet fall color and peeling bark leaving smooth silky trunk. Zone 6

By: Whitman Farms

Our 50 year old tree in Eric and Dawn’s garden can be seen for a quarter mile in fall. The red fall color is truly stunning. White flowers appear in May-July. In winter, when the tree is dormant, the bark is a patch work of tan, orange and silver.