CLIPPINGS: growing opulent camellias

MAKING SCENTS OF CAMELLIAS

Camellias are possibly the most perfect flowers – opulent, blooming for months through the gloomiest time of year, hardy yet delicate looking. They lose out to roses in only two ways: lack of scent and a tendency to drop from the stem an hour after you put them in a vase.

But if you choose wisely, you can have them on the bush and in a vase with a soft sensuous, scent as well.

While there are camellias that tolerate full sun, these scented varieties need dappled shade, or even deep shade in warmer climates.

High Fragrance: Pale pink, double, frilly and divine. “Scentuous”: White petals with a pale pink centre, loosely ruffled, semi-double and long blooming. Koto No Kaori: Single blooms in deep pink.

Spring Mist: Semi-double variety in ivory; pink tinge. Sweet Emily Kate: Lipstick pink, double, massed blooms, excellent in pots.