How many times have you thought about growing Camellias in tubs or in the ground? If you are thinking of growing one or two, you will need to know about their likes and dislikes. For instance where do they grow best, the type of soil they need, feeding, watering, which colour would you prefer, type of flower, and what type of bush, etc.? So before you make a selection from our list, click on Growing Camellias and read our fact sheet before you start your selection.
REMEMBER, once you have planted the camellia in the wrong position it could have a major set back when you transplant it again, especially if the plant is moved during the warmer months,.
JAPONICA
This would have to be the most popular camellia species grown by the average gardener. This species has a very large range of cultivars. There is a huge variety of reds, mauvish reds, pink, creams, whites and bi-colour flowers.
SASANQUA
This species is more compact growing and makes excellent hedge plants. Sasanqua camellias are very free flowering and are more resistant to root rot. They are very hardy and will tolerate more sunshine, wind, and poorer soils than the japonica species. Sasanqua camellias can be espaliered against fences, walls and trained on wires along the sides of pergolas.
OTHER SPECIES
Hiemails
Heimalis camellias tend to be more tolerant of poor soils and more resistant to root rot than japonicas. Some experts regard them as a cross between C. sasanqua and C. japonica, but others believe it is an entirely separate species. Very free flowering, it is often used for hedging.
Hybrids
There is a huge variety of different hybrids, derived from a cross between two different camellia species. Many of our hybrids are "Williamsii" hybrids, originally developed by J.C. Williams in the 1930s for extra cold hardiness. They are also generally fast growing.
Reticulata
The wild form of this species originated in the mountains of Gunnan province in China, and has been cultivated by the Chinese, in particular Buddhist monks, for about 1,000 years. As their native habitat is around the Tropic of Cancer, they do quite well in similar southern latitudes, and are also cold hardy to about -5C. Flowers of the reticulatas may vary quite widely in colour.
Vernalis
Some experts feel that this is a hybrid between C. japonica and C. sasanqua, but others credit it with being an entirely different species - rather like the confusion over Heimalis camellias. Most cultivars are hardy, upright, bushy and early flowering, similar to the sasanquas. Often used for hedging, it is very free flowering.
