Stewartia malacodendron

Common Names

Silky Camellia, Virginia Stewartia, Silky Stewartia, Round-fruited Stewartia

Summary

Silky camellia, Stewartia malacodendron, is a native southeastern U.S. deciduous shrub or small tree with a rounded crown, branches and leaves held in a single plane, and silky hairs on the leaf undersides. It features large white camellia-like flowers with purple filaments and blue anthers, cinnamon-colored exfoliating bark, and green foliage that offers visual interest in spring and fall; it grows as an understory plant in moist woods and bluffs, blooming in spring to early summer. It prefers shade to partial shade and moist, well-drained acidic soils with roots shaded from hot sun; it is slow-growing and often difficult to transplant. Propagation is by seed or cuttings, with fresh seeds sown in a cold frame or greenhouse and germination potentially taking two years; pruning is minimal. In cultivation, it serves as an accent or specimen plant in shaded or cottage gardens and is noted for its ornamental value, including fall color and cinnamon bark, with generally pest- and disease-free status.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

10-19 feet

Spread

8-13 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial sun; tolerates shade (including dense shade), though too much shade can limit flower bud set.

Soil Type

Well-drained, acidic, humus-rich loam

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil.

Soil pH

4.5-6.5, Acid to neutral soils

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Dark green

Fall Foliage Color

Greenish-yellow to yellow

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow growth rate

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Softwood cuttings, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, birds