I was thinking the same thing as to what potted plants and plants presently on order would go with the S. japonica I ordered. I thought Itea, Halesia, my white flowered K. angustifolia and the leucothoe I am always talking about. I have a new area of the garden to landscape and the Stewartia will be the centerpiece. The white flowered bleeding heart seems to do well for me, so I may try to move one or two of them to the shade of the Stewartia.

The Stewartia will give dappled shade, and depending on where it is in your yard, some sun-loving plants can thrive even in its shadow [I have black-eyed susans planted below the edge of the branches on the north side of the tree; the tree is probably 20+ years old].

Twenty years old? How tall and wide is it? I've heard they can get on the large side. I bought mine as a seven footer last Spring. Its planted in a woodland setting as an uderstory to two native oaks.

Marc, You have to take in the Arnold Arboretum in Jamica Plain, They have 3 dozen stewartias. Two very mature and beautiful pseudocamelia's as you enter from the road behind the green house, on the right hand side. You can spot the great bark from the gate.
If you purchased S. monadelpha that should have less spread and more height. Native to US.
Pseudocamelia can get to be 30'X 30'
For 20.00 you can get their printed plant inventory and sight maps. I go in 4-5 times a year.

Ron

Sorry, haven't been on this website in a while. I'd estimate that it's at least 12' tall, and the dripline is 5-6' in diameter.

If I have a chance to talk with the woman who planted the tree, I'll ask when exactly it was put in.

Rh