Stewartia pseudocamellia, commonly known as Japanese Stewartia, is a deciduous tree native to the mountain forests of Japan and Korea. It typically grows to 10–15 meters tall, often with multiple stems or low branching trunks. The bark is a notable feature, smooth and exfoliating with age, revealing a mottled pattern of dull orange, green, and grey, resembling camouflage. The tree’s form is pyramidal to rounded, with deep green foliage that transforms into a spectacular display of yellow, red, or purple in the fall. Flowers are showy, up to 8 cm wide, with five white petals and orange anthers, resembling those of the related Camellia. They bloom in summer, from June to August, with each flower being short-lived but produced in succession over many weeks.

Japanese Stewartia is valued for its year-round ornamental appeal, especially its striking bark and beautiful fall foliage. It is used in shrub borders, as a lawn specimen, and in woodland gardens. The tree requires rich, organic soils with good drainage and consistent moisture, and while it can grow in full sun, it benefits from light afternoon shade in hot, dry conditions. It can be challenging to establish, with younger trees transplanting more successfully. Single-trunked specimens tend to grow taller and more pyramidal, while multi-trunked plants are shorter and wider. It is important to note that Stewartia pseudocamellia can suffer from root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0