Stewartia malacodendron

This species is known as the "Silky Camellia" and while not a camellia it is as valuable and coveted as silk and in many ways as finicky to produce. A fine trader indeed is the one willing to travel the route by which seed can be procured, and our botanical Marco Polo in this case is the Stewartia king of Georgia, Jack Johnston. You'll need a bit of woodland shade in your Xanadu and careful handling as these don't like root disturbance but when the large white blossoms embossed with a center of deep purple blue-anthered stamens gets going your garden will become stately pleasure dome the envy of which will spread across continents.

Thanks to Will Johnson for sharing pictures from the parent plants in Jack's garden!