Plant of the Week: Winter camellias

These plants will provide cheer throughout autumn and winter

Camellias are among the most aristocratic evergreen shrubs, with lustrous leaves and bold, wax-textured flowers in an astonishing range of shapes and forms. While most flower from January through to spring, there are species, hybrids and varieties that lighten shortening days with blossoms through autumn into Christmas.

Many of these are C. sasanqua, from China and Japan, while others come from the fragrant Chinese tea oil C. oleifera or the hybrids C. hiemalis and C. vernalis.

While many are hardy, others, such as varieties of C. oleifera, may need more winter warmth and shelter, particularly in colder gardens. They’re all easily grown in pots of ericaceous compost, which can be brought into a glasshouse or conservatory over the coldest months or, if durable, left outside on the patio all year. Pot cultivation not only provides winter protection, it also helps restrict size and spread, further reduced via light pruning.

Camellias need acid to neutral, moist, but well-drained soil. If they become chlorotic, or yellowleaved, or are in thin, chalky soils of pH7 and above, growing in pots is best. While they’ll withstand winter sun they need to be kept out of strong sunlight in summer. They also need to be kept moist, particularly in summer when flower buds are being set. Use rainwater wherever possible and feed with ericaceous liquid feed in spring. If plants start to outgrow their space lightly trim

back errant shoots immediately after they finish flowering.