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Theaceae
Mountain Camellia
Stewartia ovata
Quiet elegance and rarity.
- Family
- Theaceae
- Genus
- Stewartia
- Native to
- Southeastern United States
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- shrub
- Height
- 10-15 ft
- Sunlight
- partial shade
- Soil
- moist, acidic, well-drained
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 5-9
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Mountain camellia is in the same family as true tea and camellias, the Theaceae.
- Its showy white flowers with prominent purple and orange stamens resemble fried eggs.
- The genus was named in honor of John Stuart, the 3rd Earl of Bute, who was a patron of botany and gardening.
- It is quite rare in the wild, found only in scattered populations in the Appalachian Mountains.
- The bark peels in colorful strips, adding ornamental interest in winter after the leaves have fallen.
Color meanings
0
understated beauty
1
rare treasure
2
woodland grace