GORDONIA. Asia and North America. A group of evergreen shrubs and trees related to Camellia, lumped in some schemes with the American Franklinia. Undoubtedly most of them are beautiful; however, most are too tropical for California gardens. The following share the features of stocky trunks, thick, dark, glossy leaves and white camellia-like flowers with many golden stamens. They are dramatic and beautiful specimens for larger gardens. Both thrive in sun or part shade and a reasonably well drained, preferably acid soil, with moderate to regular watering. Hardy to 15oF or a little less.
axillaris. China and Taiwan. One of the shrubbier species, though it can grow as much as 30’ tall. The younger stems are bright green and lined by darker, leathery 3-6" leaves, glossy on their upper surface. Pure white, camellia-like blossoms with contrasting orange stamens, about 4" across in this unnamed cultivar, nestle among the leaves for many weeks in winter and spring. Of the two species described here, this one is the more manageable in smaller gardens, and well worth the pruning effort.
lasianthus. Loblolly bay. Eastern U.S. This species is more treelike than the last, sometimes growing nearly 100’ high in the wild, though usually considerably less in cultivation. It has straight, erect central trunks with ascending to spreading side branches, lined with thick lance-shaped leaves, up to 6" long. The flowers are a little smaller than those of G. axillaris but similarly showy.