Cottagekaren's Garden
Camellia japonica 'Silver Anniversary'
Genus: Camellia.
Species: Camellia japonica.
Position: partial shade (but not east-facing)
Soil: moist but well-drained, humus-rich, acid soil (or ericaceous compost for container-grown specimens)
Rate of growth: average
Flowering period: January to March
Hardiness: fully hardy
From late winter to early spring, large white, peony-form flowers with a golden boss of stamens, appear on this handsome, evergreen shrub. The leaves emerge a bright green and gradually darken with age providing a great backdrop to the luminous flowers when they appear. For the rest of the year, they provide essential structure, which becomes invaluable during the winter months when so many other plants have died right back. This reasonably fast-growing plant has an upright habit and can be used as a stand-alone specimen, or incorporated into a mixed or shrub border. It will also make a fine, informal hedge or screen.