Camellias
27 March 2008  If you want a hardy shrub that is good value all year then select a variety of camellia.
The glossy, dark green, evergreen leaves are the ideal backdrop for the single, double or full centred flowers that appear in late winter, spring or in late autumn depending on species. They are as tough as old boots but prefer a site sheltered from biting cold winds. Camellias are woodlanders preferring shade. In full sun they may sulk. The soil must be neutral at least but preferably acid. A fertile, moisture retentive soil that doesn’t become waterlogged is ideal. When planting steer clear of sites such as east facing walls that receive the morning sun. Where there are spring frosts then the early sun on the frozen flowers will cause them to turn brown.  They are shallow rooting and benefit from an annual mulch of compost, old, well rotted farmyard manure or leaf mould. Ensure that the soil remains moist especially in late summer and early autumn when the flower buds are forming. A period of drought and the buds will drop.
Where there is a branch that will bend down to the ground then propagation by layering is easy. Cut part way through the stem where it touches the soil and wedge the cut open with a piece of matchstick. Loosen the soil and peg the branch firmly in place using u shaped wires. Cover it with compost and wet the soil thoroughly. Cover it with a large stone. Within 12-18 months the branch will have rooted and can be cut away from the parent plant and be potted up in ericaceous compost.  Camellia sasanqua and its varieties flower in mid and late autumn. My favourite variety is C. s. ‘Narumigata’ with fragrant, single, white flowers with a pink tinge.
C.x williamsii cultivars are probably the best known, flowering profusely and reliably in late winter and spring. I love them all especially ‘Donation’ (semi-double pink), ‘St Ewe’(single, rose-pink) and ‘Francis Hanger’ with single white flowers with the centre full of golden stamens. RELATED LINKS
The Camellia by Reg Maxwell
Plant profile - Camellia
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