woodland shrub
Mountain camellia
Stewartia ovata
1 of 2Native to Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia
Virginia to southeastern Kentucky, south to northern Georgia and Alabama
- Light Full shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 6–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Jun–Jul Flowering time
- Height up to 20 ft to 6.1 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland shrub for full shade and evenly moist soil. Its white flowers peak in June. At up to 20 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 6–8.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Mountain camellia's white flowers bloom June to July, peaking in June. It's an early-summer display.
Mountain camellia blooms whiteFoliage
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and VirginiaUnited States (7): AL, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, VA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Virginia to southeastern Kentucky, south to northern Georgia and AlabamaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6–8The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist, humus rich, sandy loamsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 20 ft (to 6.1 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- ShrubWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Jun–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- WhiteThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Mar–OctThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.