Long history of camellias
HUNDREDS of years ago, in China, monks often selected their favourite local camellias for the entrances and gardens of their temples. Some remain as gnarled and ancient specimens.
Camellia reticulata ‘Damanao’ was already being grown in Yunnan, China, by 1621. It is a small variegated tree with mediumsized pink and white informal flowers.
Camellia japonica ‘Bokuhan’ originated in Japan in 1719. The single miniature flowers are elegant, a deep winered with a creamy boss of central petaloids. It’s a vigorous plant with very glossy, dark green, pointed leaves.
By 1842, the camellia craze produced
Camellia japonica ‘Dryade’ in Italy. This tiny lavenderhued pink flower is a formal
double with perfectly spaced petals in a spiral.
In the United States during the swinging ’60s, Howard Asper produced a ‘‘SuperSize Me’’ camellia from seed of C. reticulata ‘Damanao’ in 1965; and named it after himself. Camellia ‘Howard Asper’ has one of the largest flowers a camellia can produce. The plant is floriferous with masses of huge, deep salmon pink flowers, 18.5cm across.
In 1987 in New Zealand, Camellia japonica ‘Takanini’ was released. The mediumsized blood red flowers cover the plant for an impressive six months, outperforming many of its historical predecessors.
When you are next in the camellia collection in the lower botanic garden, take a look at the camellia labels to find out where in the world a camellia came from and when. It’s interesting to reflect on the times and places which have resulted in the different tastes and fashions.
Garden Life is produced by Dunedin Botanic Garden. For further information contact Marianne Groothuis.