Camellia 'Michael' (_cuspidata_ × _saluenensis_)

RHS Plant Profile

camellia 'Michael'

Synonyms

Camellia 'Cornish Snow Michael'

Shrubs

An upright, neat, evergreen shrub with slender, arching branches of glossy, dark green foliage with serrated edges which emerges bronze. Small, single white flowers with yellow stamens appear from February to March

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Theaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy, Columnar upright
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. 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

Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance
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 (rarely), phytophthora root rot, camellia gall, camellia leaf blight, camellia yellow mottle virus and flowers and camellia petal blight