The queen of the winter garden is, without a doubt, the stunningly beautiful camellia.
Camellias, with their beautiful blooms in shades of white and pink through to deep crimson and their long flowering season, continue to amaze all who have the good fortune to enjoy them in their gardens. Their dense and glossy evergreen foliage is also attractive, making the camellia a lovely all-year-round garden plant.
Comprising some 100 to 150 different species, these evergreen shrubs originate from Asia, with distribution from northern India across the continent to Japan, and then south to northern Indonesia. In 1794 the first one arrived in England – a double red camellia – soon to be followed by others. The appeal and fascination of this classic flower rapidly spread across Britain and into Europe.
Plant breeders have created a variety of hybrids and cultivars that make ideal garden plants. Most of these derive from three particularly attractive species, namely the autumn flowering Camellia sasanqua, the winter-flowering Camellia japonica and the large-flowered Camellia reticulata, that ends the beauty parade in spring.
The flowers of the sasanqua camellia have dainty, fluted or ruffled white, pink or red petals surrounding golden stamens, many with a sweet fragrance. They are more tolerant of sun than other camellias and grow in sun or semi-shade. Their neat growth habit makes them ideal for espaliers, for tall slender columns to frame entrances or steps and for large containers. Firm favourites are:
These are the camellia cultivars most commonly seen in older gardens. They are large upright-growing shrubs with large rosettes of white, pink, red or bicoloured flowers. The shape ranges from a single layer of petals to peony-like and ruffled blooms. The flowering season ranges from late autumn until early spring. Camellia japonica cultivars prefer a position in dappled shade. Firm favourites are:
Hybrids are created by crossing two different Camellia species. Some hybrids have larger blooms such as Camellia x williamsii, bred by crossing C. japonica with C. saluensis. Camellia x williamsii cultivars perform well in local growing conditions and flower in winter. Firm favourites are:
These hybrids have enormous ruffled blooms in white, pink and red. In cooler areas, reticulatas grow in full sun, but need shade from afternoon sun in hot regions. The growth habit is strong, open and tree-like. Firm favourites are:
Some of the smaller flowering Camellia species are charming garden plants. Firm favourites:
Cultivation of camellias in South African gardens is relatively easy, provided that a few simple rules are followed:
Tip: Dappled shade from mature trees is ideal for most, though some are more sun tolerant than others. Too much shade reduces bud formation, whilst excessive heat and sunshine scorches fine surface roots and flower buds.
Source: Life is a garden