Stewartia monadelpha

We sell loads of these. A gorgeous hardy tree with peeling rusty coloured bark, white flowers in early summer and brilliant red autumn colour. 

A single specimen of this tree in flower, humming and thrumming with bees is a wonder to sit beside. Or beneath. Out in the wilds of the temperate rainforests of Japan we might stroll beneath one as a properly tall tree, but here in the UK it will generally only reach around 8 metres or thereabouts.

Its shape can be described as a loosely pyramidal hump of trembling shiny green leaves that is often multi-stemmed and quite delicate in structure. A slight serration to the edges of each teardrop leaf blurs and softens its hazy silhouette even further, and makes for a very romantic form. From late May the small white blooms, each like single camellias, will emerge to frost its soft peaks and if you can get past the bees to examine them you’ll see some startlingly-violet anthers nestled within.

These trees will never suffer the indignity of arriving at an event in matching outfits, for when autumn arrives they will burst ablaze in a broad array of oranges and reds and burgundies, each distinct and no two alike. It sheds deciduously but remains very striking in winter, for this is when the flaky umber bark is revealed. Lovely bark: velvet-textured and streaked with ochre and tan. Just gorgeous.

Can be grown in any soil that is moist but well drained in any aspect in sun to partial shade.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.