Mountain stewartia
Stewartia ovata
Last reviewed: October 2026
Mountain stewartia (Stewartia ovata) is a perennial shrub native to AL, GA, KY, MS and 4 more states. It blooms in June and July. The flowers draw bees.
Mountain stewartia (Stewartia ovata) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
72"–180" H × 72"–120" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul
Native to
AL, GA, KY, MS and 4 more states
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A large, multi-stemmed understory shrub called mountain camellia, with broad dark green leaves and large white camellia-like flowers with a showy ring of purple-tinged stamens in early summer. Fall color and attractive bark add multi-season interest.
Growing Mountain stewartia
Grow Mountain stewartia in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 72 to 180 inches tall and spread 72 to 120 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Its large summer flowers provide nectar and pollen for native bees in a season when many woodland understory plants have finished blooming.
Common questions
- How much sun does Mountain stewartia need?
- Mountain stewartia grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Mountain stewartia bloom?
- Mountain stewartia blooms in June and July.
- Where is Mountain stewartia native?
- Mountain stewartia (Stewartia ovata) is native to AL, GA, KY, MS and 4 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- Is Mountain stewartia toxic to dogs?
- Mountain stewartia is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
- Is Mountain stewartia toxic to cats?
- Mountain stewartia is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
- What pollinators does Mountain stewartia attract?
- Mountain stewartia draws bees.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Mountain stewartia? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.