Stewartia malacodendron, commonly known as silky camellia or silky stewartia, is a deciduous tree native to the southeastern United States. It typically reaches a height of 20-30 feet and spreads 15-20 feet wide. The tree has an upright growth habit with an oval crown and smooth gray bark that peels in thin flakes.
The leaves of Stewartia malacodendron are dark green, glossy, and elliptical with serrated edges. In the fall, they turn vibrant shades of yellow-orange before dropping.
This plant produces showy white flowers with yellow centers that bloom in late spring or early summer. The flowers are cup-shaped and feature five petals that are slightly crinkled at the edges.
Stewartia malacodendron prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun exposure. It is relatively low-maintenance but may require occasional pruning to maintain its shape.
Overall, Stewartia malacodendron is an attractive ornamental tree that provides year-round interest through its seasonal foliage color changes and beautiful springtime blooms.
Silky camellia is disease-resistant and usually not vulnerable to illnesses. In terms of maintenance, this plant is fairly low-maintenance. When grown outdoors it needs only light watering, and larger specimens typically do not require pruning. Smaller plants, however, should be pruned after they finish blooming. Silky camellia is appropriate for anyone with an outdoor area, such as a garden or a deck, and does not need much gardening experience.
How to keep Stewartia Malacodendron.
Light
Silky camellia is native to habitats like forest understories or rocky areas, where it grows in natural shade. It prefers partial sun but can tolerate full sun or full shade, reflecting its versatile and hardy nature.
Temperature
Silky camellia tolerates a wide range of climate conditions, from blazing summers to frosty winters. Still, it has a preferred temperature range for growth. If temperatures rise excessively, the plant can experience heat and humidity stress that may cause it to die. In areas where temperatures near the lower limit of its cold tolerance, insulating the plant to protect it is necessary.
Fertilizer
Timing matters when fertilizing the Silky camellia. Apply fertilizer in early spring and continue once a month until early summer. Fertilizer promotes attractive blooms and supplies energy during both dormant and active growth periods.
Botanical profile.
- Plant Type
- Shrub
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Stewartia
- Family
- Theaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 5-9
- Mature Height
- 3.05 m to 4.57 m
- Mature Spread
- 1.83 m to 3.66 m
- Leaf Color
- Green
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Flower Color
- White
- Flower Size
- 7.62 cm to 15.24 cm
- Bloom Time
- Late spring, Early summer
- Planting Time
- Spring, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- Late summer, Early fall, Mid fall
Other names.
