Stewartia sinensis

RHS Plant Profile
Chinese stewartia

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Chinese stewartia RHS

Synonyms

Stewartia gemmata

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Trees
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A small, spreading deciduous tree with peeling papery brown and purple bark, and ovate leaves 5-10cm long turning bright crimson in autumn. Slightly fragrant white flowers 4-5cm across, open in mid summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Theaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Stewartia are deciduous trees or shrubs, often with attractive peeling bark, ovate leaves and showy white flowers; good autumn colour
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well drained, moderately fertile, humus rich, neutral to acid soil in full sun or dappled shade sheltered from strong winds. Resents transplanting

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sow ripe seeds in containers in cold frame in the autumn. Take softwood cuttings in early summer, semi-ripe cuttings in mid- to late summer or try layering in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility