Stewartia pseudocamillia

Stewartia pseudocamellia is one of the most admired small ornamental trees, revered for its four-season beauty and refined character. Native to Japan, it produces elegant white, camellia-like flowers with golden centers in early summer, followed by rich fall color in shades of red and orange. Perhaps its most celebrated feature is its exfoliating bark, which peels to reveal a mosaic of gray, tan, and cinnamon tones in winter. It grows best in full sun to partial shade with acidic, well-drained soil and has a slow to moderate growth rate. Hardy in USDA Zones 5–8, it matures into a graceful specimen tree prized by collectors and designers alike.