A dream cam true

Beauty when it’s beastly

CAMELLIAS are the star performers in the winter garden, braving the cold to put on a spectacular show.

There are thousands of irresistible varieties in shades of pink and red as well as white and yellow, some with curious multi-coloured petals.

Others, such as Golden Spangles, also have variegated foliage.

For reliability, choose varieties of Camellia williamsii such as Donation, Bow Bells and Anticipation, especially if you live in colder regions as they will still flower freely.

In the south, where there is better light and fewer frosts, you will have success with the much-loved Camellia japonica varieties (pictured). They produce flowers that resemble those of anemones, peonies and roses.

Some are sweetly scented, such as High Fragrance, which produces masses of light rose or salmon coloured petal-packed double blooms from February to April. Fragrant Pink has pretty peony-form flowers.

Wild

Both are a good choice for growing in a porch or conservatory.

The key to success is providing camellias with the conditions they enjoy in the wild, namely a lightly shaded site away from cold winds and a free-draining but moist, acid soil.

A border close to a west or northwest facing wall is ideal, as brick walls act like night storage heaters. They absorb warmth during the day and give it off at night, which means plants are less subject to frost.

Avoid east-facing aspects, though, as bright early morning sun will damage dew or frost-laden flowers and buds, causing them to drop off.

Leaves will sulk and turn yellow if there is a hint of lime in the soil. If roots become dry in late summer, plants will drop flower buds before they have chance to develop.

Camellias grow well in containers, especially compact varieties such as Anticipation. Plant in ericaceous – lime-free – compost and use rainwater for watering as tap water in some areas may contain quite a bit of lime.

Feed plants annually with an ericaceous or acid fertiliser in summer and if the plant develops yellow leaves, spray with sequestered iron.