The Camellia family of plants is a well-loved
flowering beauty. The family has hundreds of varieties of flowers and is one of
the most popular cut flowers used in floral decorations.
Camellias come in many different colours and each
one has different meanings associated with it. White Camellias symbolize
affection and friendship, red Camellias symbolise love and passion while pink
Camellias symbolise a longing for someone that you miss!
Camellia Sasanqua.
Camellia Sasanqua - Best grown in full sun this is the first flower to
arrive in autumn. This tough but glamorous shrub makes a great border for a
garden but grows well in pots and raised beds. They are an evergreen shrub,
originally from Japan, with slightly fragrant flowers. The shrub likes acidic
soil and grows best with a thick layer of mulch on top of the soil. Some of the
most popular varieties include ‘Early Pearly’, ‘Pure Silk’ and the ‘Jennifer
Susan’.
Camellia Japonica.
This marvelous flower first arrived in the West from
the Orient in the early 1800s. The flower was an instant success with gardeners
and botanists who appreciated the flower's beauty as well as its hardiness and
pest resilience. There are few plants in the world that have been more
successfully hybridised with some experts estimating that more than 30,000
varieites are currently growing around the world! The plants are long living
too! In Australia, the oldest known Camellia plant is said to have been planted
in 1831, making it nearly 200 years old today!
The Camellia japonica grows into a small tree. It
prefers part sun and grows happily underneath other trees, such as the classic
Australian gum tree. These plants grow very well in pots, and can be
beautifully manicured to achieve a ‘lolly-pop’ effect that looks fantastic when
in bloom. They can also be grown into hedges or grown into an attractive
espalier.
Miniature Fairy Wand Camellia.
Miniature Fairy Wand Camellia - This tiny cherry blossom like flowers are dainty
and sweet. They make fantastic bordering for a garden they also grow well in
woodland settings. These shrubs can reach up to 4 metres high but they can
easily be trimmed and kept lower. They grow well in the shade and partial sun
and make great companion plants for daphnes, snowdrops and wood violets. The
plants need regular watering in their early years but as they mature they
require far less attention. A bit of extra watering around flowering time is
always appreciated by these wonderful plants though!
Camellia Reticulata.
These amazing plants have flowers up to 25cm across!
They are among the largest flowers in the horticultural world and are really a
special addition to any garden. These varieties flower later than the other
Camellias and flower between early May and late September. The flowers actually
get larger as the tree matures so they will maintain a special place in your
garden for years to come. Unlike the japonicas or sasanqua varieties, the
Camellia Reticulata does not grow well if you prune too much. The tree naturally
drops its leaves before a new growth spurt and generally they need very little
attention. They can be grown as garden features, hedges or in amongst
woodlands.
Camellias are a popular and widely diverse family of plants that has benefited hugely from hybridization and cross-breeding. They are gardeners favourite and no matter what you’re looking for, you can find a special spot in your garden for some of these beauties!