Camellia japonica

Camellia japonica – ‘The Rose of Winter’ with glossy evergreen leaves and prodigious flowers in early Spring, its become a favourite garden plant. But did you know its related to the tea plant?

Camellia’s are a large Genus of evergreen shrubs, originating from the hillsides and woodlands in east and southern Asia. Named after the Jesuit missionary Georg Kamel (1661-1706), with over 250 species and many many thousand of cultivars.

Imported into Britain by the East India Company from the early 1700’s, as the tea trade grew with China more cultivars were introduced. They were initially thought to be exotic and only grown in glasshouses as collections. One of these is still at Cheswick House in London, which has the oldest collection in Europe. It contains four of the first varieties introduced into Europe:- 

But since the 1800’s, they were found to be hardy enough to grow outside….no surprise considering where they originated from!!!

• Slow growing, broadleaved evergreen shrub usually reaching up to 350cm and 300cm spread.

• Flowers come in many forms and colours, from minatures (4cm) to huge blossoms (12cm). Colours white, through pink to dark red.

• Grow in partial shade, in a sheltered spot away from cold winds to protect developing flower buds.

• Prefers Ericaceous (slightly acidic) well drained soil, with plenty of organic matter incorporated. Don’t plant too deep.

• Camellia’s hate drying out, so keep watering particularly in the growing season and in the Autumn when flower buds are forming. Apply annual mulch of compost/rotted manure in spring to conserve water around the roots.

• Not mid day sun tolerant until mature enough to have their roots shaded by a dense canopy of foliage.

• They don’t need a lot of feed, but apply Ericaceous feed after flowering in Spring….do not feed after July or it can induce bud drop.

• Deadhead flowers as they fade. Pruning is rarely needed, but if required do after flowering to avoid destroying next seasons flowering buds.

• Poor flowering is usually as a result of bud drop from the plant drying out, excess or late feeding (after July) and exposure to cold winds in winter.

• Can be successfully grown in containers, but the watering regime is even more critical.

• Watch out for: Yellowing leaves (chlorosis: high soil alkalinity causing lack of iron – mulch with leaf mould/composted bracken) : Brown patches on flowers (Camellia petal blight – fungal disease. Remove infected flower and dispose): Sooty mould on leaves (Leaf scale insect – clean off with soft soap solution)

Why not try :-