woodland shrub
Silky Camellia
Stewartia malacodendron
1 of 2Native to the Southeast
Coastal plain from southeastern Virginia to Florida and extreme eastern Texas
- Light Full shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moisture preference
- Zones 7–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Jun 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. At up to 20 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 7–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Pollinators & wildlife
- Beetles Lined Longhorn Beetle
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The SoutheastUnited States (9): AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TX, VA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Coastal plain from southeastern Virginia to Florida and extreme eastern TexasThe 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.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 7–9The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Acid, humus-rich, well-drained soilsThe 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
- Apr–JunWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- WhiteThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.