Stewartia malacodendron (Silky Camellia)
Silky Camellia, Virginia Stewartia, Round-fruited Stewartia
A delightful addition to almost any garden, Stewartia malacodendron (Silky Camellia) is a bushy deciduous shrub or small tree with a dense foliage of ovate, dark green leaves, 2-4 in. long (5-10 cm), silky underneath. Delicate, saucer-shaped, white flowers, 3 in. wide (8 cm), adorned with showy purple stamens and blue anthers appear in mid-spring to early summer in the leaf axils. Resembling camellias, they give way to small, woody, egg-shaped capsules containing lustrous brown seeds. The foliage turns brilliant shades of greenish-yellow to yellow in fall. The shedding of leaves exposes the lightly striped cinnamon-colored bark, adding winter interest. Slow-growing, Silky Camellia has a name for being difficult in cultivation. It makes, however, an excellent accent or specimen plant.
- Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
- Typically grows up to 10-18 ft. tall (300-540 cm) and 15-25 ft. wide (450-750 cm)
- Thrives in woodland conditions, favoring moist, humus-rich, acidic, well-drained soil in partial shade. Silky camellia prefers deep shade during the heat of the day but performs well in early morning sun. The roots must be fully shaded from the hot sun, and they resent disturbance or transplanting.
- Great flowering shrub for woodland gardens, city gardens, or cottage gardens.
- Virtually pest and disease free
- Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer. Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold-frame in fall.
- No routine pruning is necessary. Remove diseased, damaged, congested, or crossing shoots.
- Native to the southeastern United States.
Buy Stewartia malacodendron (Silky Camellia)
Requirements
Hardiness | 7
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 6
– 9 |
Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Early) Fall |
Height | 12' – 18' (3.6m – 5.4m) |
Spread | 15' – 25' (4.5m – 7.5m) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Southwest, Texas |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Florida Fish and Wildlife, Flickr
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 7
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 6
– 9 |
Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Early) Fall |
Height | 12' – 18' (3.6m – 5.4m) |
Spread | 15' – 25' (4.5m – 7.5m) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Southwest, Texas |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |