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My Camellia Collection

AndrewR

By AndrewR

13 comments


When I decided to plant camellias, I thought it would be nice to have a red, a pink and a white one. So I did my research and ordered them.

This is the red one – it was supposed to ‘Adolphe Audusson’ but that’s not what was supplied. This one makes a rather skinny, upright bush which has the top cut off from time to time to keep it from becoming top heavy.

The pink one was supposed to be ‘Donation’ but again, that wasn’t what was sent. I think this may be ‘Debbie.’

And the white one turned out not to be what I was expecting either.

I took samples to the RHS at Wisley and they came up with the name ‘Marguerite Guillon.’ This tends to revert and the top of the bush has completely pink flowers – two plants for the price of one!

Finally I got my white-flowered one – ‘Devonia’, the same name as the house. It has been described as the best white one around; I’m not going to disagree.

This got off to a slow start, being overshadowed by an established rhododendron but since that was removed, it’s slowly making a nice round bush.

All my camellias are enjoying the mild spring so far – long may it continue.

More blog posts by AndrewR

Previous post: Devonia at the Spring Equinox

Next post: North Wales - Portmeirion



Comments

 

They are all gorgeous AndrewR. That white one is beautiful and so crisp :)
I love Camellias too - I have 5 - all except one is new last year. I hope to have a lovely display in a few years time :)

2 Apr, 2012

 

I agree with Scottish- they're all gorgeous but I particularly like the 'marbled' one. I've got a red camellia, but it hasn't flowered for two years now. The buds form, then just drop off!!

2 Apr, 2012

 

You need to keep them well watered during the summer Sheilar. I had a beautiful one in my old garden. Once I knew to keep it watered during the hot weather I didn't have that problem :)

2 Apr, 2012

 

I've tried that Scottish, but it didn't improve, although it seems to get plenty new leaves on it. I've noticed the leaves are more a yellowish green than they should be, but as it's at the bottom of the garden, which is on a slope, I don't want to waterlog it. I've got astilbies growing next to them and they do OK so I assume it's watered enough??!!

2 Apr, 2012

 

they do look very complimentary together, that white one is stunning; and particularly nice to have one the same name as your house.

2 Apr, 2012

 

sheilar i had one that would not flower ~ i cut it back severely ~ that worked!! it had flowers the next year ~ and didnt hywel do similar with amazing results??

2 Apr, 2012

 

Hi AndrewR I have only just joined and think that the camellias you have are really lovely i have two they are Milky and the white one that you have both have flowered early due to this weather but they are truly beautiful i would like more but sadly have no room I noticed that the sheilar has a problem with yellowish leaves yes i do believe that is due to a watering problem

2 Apr, 2012

 

So much for research eh Andrew! Never mind, all Camellia's are beautiful and yours are no exception. I've not seen Devonia before, it's lovely and perfect for your location. I once had Donation but it objected to being moved here from it's Bracknell garden and died, I replaced it with Debbie.
It's interesting that you say yours are all enjoying the mild weather, mine seem to be finding it a bit too warm.

2 Apr, 2012

 

Lily - is your soil sandy? I'm right on the border of Bagshot Sand and London Clay so perhaps mine have a little more moisture at the root

2 Apr, 2012

 

They are all lovely Andrew, but I do think its annoying when you dont get the plants that were ordered.

3 Apr, 2012

 

That could well be it Andrew, what a difference 4 miles makes! My soil is a bit sandy but not as bad as it was as I had a lot of topsoil brought in when the garden was redesigned. I'm hoping we're about to get some rain at last. :o)

3 Apr, 2012

 

Might try cutting it back Stickie, see if that does the trick!

3 Apr, 2012

 

What beautiful plants, Andrew. I have a camellia - I think it might be Donation, but I'm not sure. My grandmother planted it in the 70s and it's huge. It starts fairly late, in late April, and is flowering profusely now. The leaves are a bit yellowish up at the top. I'm going to upload a picture of it.

8 May, 2012

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