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Camellia × williamsii 'Night Rider'

camellia 'Night Rider'

A vigorous, upright evergreen shrub to 5m high, with small, dark green ovate leaves with finely serrated edges. New growth is tinted reddish-purple. Produces dark red, semi-double flowers, with waxy petals, prominent reddish filaments and yellow anthers, in mid to late spring

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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Red Green Red Purple
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Theaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Camellia are evergreen shrubs with simple, ovate, glossy, leathery leaves and showy flowers with solitary or clustered flowers early in the year

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Prefers acidic soil with plenty of organic matter and good drainage. Position in light shade, and shelter from cold, dry winds and early morning sun, as buds and flowers may be damaged by cold winds and late frosts. See camellia cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer, or by grafting in late winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Pruning group 8 (evergreens), after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, scale insects and vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus, phytophthora root rot, camellia gall, camellia leaf blight, and camellia yellow mottle virus. Flowers may be infected by camellia petal blight

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