Tall Stewartia

Tall stewartia is the Japanese species that grows larger than its better-known cousin, reaching thirty to forty feet as a graceful, small tree with exfoliating bark that reveals a smooth, cinnamon-red to orange surface beneath. The white, camellia-like flowers appear in midsummer, each one two inches across with a central boss of yellow stamens, and the fall color is rich orange to red-purple. It is the stewartia with the best bark, and that bark is visible year-round.

In Western Washington, tall stewartia performs well in part shade with moist, acidic, well-drained soil, the same conditions as rhododendrons. The bark is the primary attraction: as the tree matures, the exfoliating patches create a patchwork of cinnamon, orange, and gray that rivals any tree in the landscape for winter interest. No significant disease or pest concerns are tracked. For a four-season specimen tree with summer flowers, fall color, and the finest exfoliating bark of any small tree in the region, tall stewartia is one of the most refined trees available.