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The
Camellia
By Reg Maxwell
One
of the most showy plants of early spring garden
is the camellia. The flowers are so attractive
and contrast well with the glossy evergreen
leaves which are in proportion to the flowers.
 The
camellia originates from the Himalayas, China
and Japan and has been in cultivation here for
a couple of hundred years. When first brought
it was thought to be tender and requiring protection
and therefore was grown in glass houses. A fine
example is the John Nash arcaded camellia house
at Shanes Castle where a collection of Camellia
japonica varieties are grown. The Tropical Ravine
have some fine old plants
of Camellia japonica 'Alba Plena' with their
full formal double flowers. These plants are
in the region of 120 plus years old and flower
exceedingly well each year. Camellia tend to
be long lived and a hundred year old stem may
be only 50mm across. A very hard white wood
that can polish up well.
Camellias
can be for all gardens from the patio to the
woodland garden. It is a plant that requires
an acid soil, with plenty of leaf mould, moist
but never waterlogged. They prefer a cool root
run. For success, work in plenty of compost
and top dress the beds each spring with a mixture
of leaf mould and old manure or simply buy the
Rhododendron type composts. Never pile any type
of composts up round the stem of the plant as
this can cause problems. Spread the compost
lightly over the root zones. Camellias are great
plants to grow in large pots for use in the
patio or even the cold conservatory where an
early flush of flowers is very welcome. For
the garden, plant among other shrubs, especially
deciduous shrubs so that the evergreen leaves
contrast and give a block of shiny evergreen
throughout the year. They are great in light
woodland, especially with birch where the dappled
shade protects them in the height of summer
and at flowering time. It is important that
the planning orientation is observed as they
are so early flowering there is always the danger
of frost damage in the morning if sun hits the
flowers. With frost still on them they turn
brown. Therefore protect them from the morning
sun by planting in a westerly facing location.
Another problem can be bud drop. This can be
caused by drying easterly winds in winter or
by the plant drying out at some stage during
the bud development. In February of 2002 I observed
this occurring in a number of locations due
to the very cold easterly winds coming off the
Irish sea.
The
camellia is a beautiful flowering shrub and
1 think for the best effect it should be planted
very selectively. One plant can make the right
statement, especially in a small garden. Where
there is more space dotting them through other
plantings of trees and shrubs so that the colour
created at flowering time punctuates the overall
planting.
 Camellias
come in a range of colours from white through
to shades of pink to deep reds. There is single
flowers, semidouble, anemone form, peony and
formal double. The most popular garden varieties
come from the species Camellia japonica, Camellia
reticulata, Camellia sasanqua and Camellia saluensis,
Camellia japonica x Camellia saluensis gave
rise to the Camellia x williamsii cultivars
from which the ever glorious 'Donation' variety
comes. 'Donation' is a superb flowering camellia
with pink flowers. From this same group a few
favourites are 'Anticipation, 'Bow Bells', 'Brigadoon',
'Mary Larcom' all shades of pink. A few other
varieties would be 'Adolphe Audusson' red 'Lovelight'
white, 'Inspiration' deep pink flowers and 'Cornish
Snow'.
The
camellias start flowering from January on depending
on the weather and shelter provided where planted.
End of March or April is a good time to get
out and see them. For a camellia trail Botanic
Gardens Belfast have a few fine old plants,
Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park has a National
Collection and the , Mountstewart, Castlewellan
and have some fine plants. In
Co Antrim Moyola Park Gardens Castledawson has
a woodland garden with camellias, Shanes Castle
has the camellia house and Benvarden, Dervock
has camellias. In Derry, Brookhall has an arboretum
with a collection of camellias. Contact the
gardens before visiting as some have limited
opening hours or are by appointment.
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