Stewartia Collection
We hold the National Collection of Stewartias, all of which can be admired when visiting the garden.
This genus, sometimes known as Stuartia, was named after John Stuart, the Earl of Bute who acted as chief adviser to Augusta Princess Dowager of Wales, when she founded the Botanic Garden at Kew in l759
Stewartia is a genus of about twenty small to medium deciduous or evergreen trees sometimes with attractive bark of which two occur in the USA and the rest in Asia. All have white camellia like flowers produced in July and August. They are elegant trees and have rich autumn colour.
They are not the most robust of trees and some are very rare. Difficult to propagate they should be put in their permanent site as soon as possible. They prefer a semi shaded, sheltered position with, loamy and lime free soil and their roots should be shaded from the hot sun.
12 evergreen species are found in China are mostly unknown in cultivation as they are less hardy than the deciduous plants.
S. monodelpha
Orangebark stewartia, Tall Stewartia
Distribution: Japan, South Korea
Introduced: 1903
Description: A large shrub or small tree which can grow to 25 metres in the wild. White flowers in abundance although smaller than other plants in the genus, peeling reddish bark and colours well in autumn. In the Southern USA it is very tolerant of heat and exposure to sun.
S. pseudocamellia
Common Stewartia, Japanese Stewartia
Distribution Japan, Korea
Introduced prior to 1874 is first species to be introduced and the most commonly grown.
It was introduced by Messrs Veitch but was previously cultivated in the US and in France.
Description: small tree (10-15m) of dense habit. Camellia like flowers, solitary, white with purple stamens in July/August. Vibrant autumn colour, serrated foliage, pointed brown seed pods
Bark attractive flaking grey, orange and reddish brown.
S. sinensis
Stewartia gemmata
Distribution: Central China
Introduced by Wilson in about 1901 from W Hupeh when collecting for Messrs Veitch
Description: A large shrub or small tree with attractive, flaking bark. Flowers cup shaped, solitary and fragrant. Not the best autumn colour but it varies. Wild individuals become very impressive with age.
S. rostrata
Champion Tree
Distribution: China
Only recognised as distinct in the early 1970s when Stephen Spongberg realised that there were two distinct entities were growing in the Arnold Arboretum under the name sinensis. The confusion was traced back to mixed collections in Jiangxi Province in 1907 by E.H. Wilson. In 1981 it was stated it was not in cultivation in Britain however it is currently freely available from nurseries in Europe. Often sold under the name of S. gemmata a synonym of S. sinensis
Description: bark unremarkable, multi stemmed. Good autumn colour with red bracts and seed capsules.
S. ovata
Mountain Stewartia
Distribution: USA, Alabama, South Carolina, Virginia, Michigan
Introduced in 1795, successful in southern gardens but had become rare by early 20th century, none recorded in 2011. It grows iin Belgium at Wespelaar and Herkenrode.
Description: A small tree or shrub often multistemmed. Bark longitudinally fissured. ,Flowers white and ruffled. Autumn colour poor.