Spring-flowering camellias

RHS Genus Guide

Among the best shrubs for early spring colour, these camellias are upright or spreading, glossy-leaved evergreens, with white, pink or red flowers. Impressive in the shrub borders, they are also ideal for screening and growing in containers. You can also grow spring-flowering camellias more informally in dappled shade beneath deciduous trees.

Dorling Kindersley Ltd

Appearance

Flowers can be single, semi-double, have a central cluster of short petals (anemone form), have many soft petals (peony-form) or have pointed petals arranged more formally (rose-form double and formal double).

Preferences

Camellias must have acid soil, in sun or dappled shade. In containers, use an ericaceous (acidic) compost.

Dislikes

In alkaline (including chalky) soils, leaves turn yellow and are shed. Plants in deep shade tend to be leggy and will not flower freely.

Did you know?

Camellias are very tolerant of pruning, which is best done immediately after the flowers have faded and is a very successful way of restricting growth.

RHS Growing Guide