Camellia 'Minato-no-akebono'

RHS Plant Profile

camellia 'Minato-no-akebono'

Shrubs

A fast-growing, evergreen, winter-flowering shrub with an open, graceful habit and glossy green foliage. Small, strongly fragrant, clear rose-pink single flowers fading to near white appear from December to March, even on young plants. The open, fluted petals release a sweet, spicy, cinnamon-like scent that carries on the winter air

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or 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

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Theaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: 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. May be grown outdoors in very mild, frost-free areas, or in a conservatory or glasshouse, or a large container that can be moved indoors in winter. 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

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
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. This species shows some resistance to camellia petal blight, though this doesn't consistently transfer to its hybrids