Another Perfect Plant: Stewartia pseudocamellia
The acidic fall foliage of Stewartia pseudocamellia complements the cyan blue sculpture at the Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle, by Land Morphology.
The Pacific Northwest has enjoyed a relatively moist summer and a mild autumn this year, resulting in a profusion of exceptionally bright fall color for the region. Stewartia pseudocamellia or Japanese stewartia recently finished a show of cheerful scarlet-orange foliage.
(Source: Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens): The silvery exfoliating bark of Stewartia pseudocamellia provides texture and color year-round.
This small, slow-growing tree does not have an awkward phase; there is something to admire throughout every season. After the autumn leaves fall, multiple graceful trunks reveal exfoliating bark in a patchwork of silver, taupe, and pale peachy-brown. The bark of Japanese stewartia makes it one of my personal favorite trees! In early summer, single white flowers emerge with tassel-like yellow stamen. The flowers are reminiscent of Camellia flowers (both are members of the tea family, Theaceae).
Japanese Stewartia is an ideal tree for small spaces and can tolerate some shade. This tree looks best left to grow in its natural form, so avoid pruning if possible.
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