Silver Schima is an evergreen shrub or tree in the tea family (Theaceae). It is from subtropical regions of South-Central and Southeast China, Myanmar, and Vietnam. In its native habitat it is found on slopes in broad-leaved evergreen forests, in valleys, near farmland, and along roadsides. The genus name, Schima, is derived from the Greek word for shadow, skiasma. The species name argentea means "silvery," referring to the color of the underside of the leaves. It prefers full sun to partial shade in acid-to-neutral, well-drained soils. Although it grows up to 50 feet tall to 20 feet wide in its native habitat, it is likely to stay smaller and even shrub-like in temperate conditions. Propagate from seeds. Valued as an evergreen flowering tree or shrub, the Silver Schima is probably best used as a specimen, perhaps in an Asian-themed garden or at a woodland edge. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Multi-stemmed
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblong; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery; Smooth
Leaf value
Long-lasting
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are evergreen glossy and smooth on top, with silvery-gray undersides with short, downy hairs. Their size ranges from 3-6 inches long and 3/4 to 2 inches wide with a leathery feel.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Raceme; Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Solitary or Raceme of 3 to 8 fragrant, small but showy white blooms with yellow stamens in late summer.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Fruit are globose capsules about 1/2 inch in diameter split into 5 valves containing winged seeds that mature in early winter.
Bark color
Dark Brown
Bark detail
The smooth brown bark has white lenticels.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
China South-Central, China Southeast, Myanmar, Vietnam
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Winter
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Slope/Bank; Woodland
Design feature
Flowering Tree; Small Tree
Garden tags
#flowering tree #evergreen shrub #showy flowers #evergreen tree #white flowers #small tree #silver leaves #flowers late summer #evergreen #flowers early fall #understory tree #woodland