This is camellia Spring Festival that has just come into
flower. Camellia × williamsii 'Spring Festival' It can grow to
about 1.5m -2.5m. Size may be restricted when grown in a pot. This is a pretty
pink but they come in a whole host of colours even strong red. I am particularly
fond of the white camellias against the dark foliage.
Camellias are so often give as gifts because they are
something a bit special. The rosy flowers and glossy evergreen green foliage
make it one of the celebrities of the plant world.
Sadly I have seen a lot neglected in baked containers. It is
a shame when this happens because a dry plant will not develop good buds in its
next season and abandoned in a container of old stale compost for a few years
leaves any plant sad and displaying stress. All stressed plant will look more
obvious now as they end winter dormancy and move into growing season. They
should be re-potted every few years or at least given a annual top up of
compost where it has shrivelled.
Camellias are really easy plants to care for. One rule is do
not put them in early morning sun. The early morning fry up can burn off the chunky
buds if they have a frost sitting on them. Cold winds aren’t very productive
for a good flower either so a bit of shelter from the weather. They like a
reasonably neural soil but I do not find them as fussy as rhododendrons. Most
compost are neutral anyway regardless of whether they are ericaceous. If I was
buying compost for a camellia in a pot, I would choose ericaceous rather than
general purpose.
They respond well to basic care that’s water! A moist but
well drained soil and a top up of feed (preferably ericaceous) from time to
time.
