Superb Schima. A rare camellia family genus and species which is quite vigorous and can reach small tree proportions. It has attractive evergreen lance-shaped leaves up to 7" long and 2" wide whose new growth in the spring is pinkish to whitish. It produces terminal panicles of 2" ivory white single flowers with yellow stamens similar to Gordonia lasianthus. In its native China, it can reach 120', but here one should expect a medium size tree of 25-50'. It is a very rapid grower and does well in sun or shade, but one can expect a better floral display in more sun. Grow in a soil suitable for Camellias. We have had no leaf burn even when we reached single digits when planted inter-mixed with Loblolly Pines, but one might see less or more cold hardiness than what is published. This could be due to the provenance from where the plant or plants were collected, since its range is somewhat extensive. We have noticed this with Magnolia (Michelia) maudiae which can vary somewhat in cold hardiness.
Zones 7-9
