FIVE SHOWSTOPPING CAMELLIAS

1 C. JAPONICA ‘NUCCIO’S GEM’

Bred in the US, this grows to about 13ft and bears fully double, glowing white flowers, above, between February and April.

2 C. JAPONICA ‘BRUSHFIELD’S YELLOW’

Ruffled, pale-yellow flowers are borne between March and April on a shrub that has an eventual height of 13ft.

3 C. JAPONICA ‘FAIRY BLUSH’

A compact form of 6½ft in height, its branches carry deep pink buds from January to March which open into scented, light pink blooms.

4 C. JAPONICA ‘LADY VANSITTART’

Its holly-like foliage provides a great foil for semidouble, white flowers that are adorned with pink and red markings.

5 C. X WILLIAMSII ‘ANTICIPATION’

Developed in the 1960s, this can reach 12ft and produces large, peony-type crimson flowers from February to April.