Modern Cultivars
Today camellias are grown as ornamental plants for their flowers; about 3,000 cultivars and hybrids have been selected, many with double or semi-double flowers. C. japonica is the most prominent species in cultivation, with over 2,000 named cultivars. Next are C. reticulata with over 400 named cultivars, and C. sasanqua with over 300 named cultivars. Popular hybrids include C. × hiemalis (C. japonica × C. sasanqua) and C. × williamsii (C. japonica × Camellia saluenensis|C. saluenensis). Some varieties can grow to a considerable size, up to 100m², though more compact cultivars are available. They are frequently planted in woodland settings, alongside other calcifuges such as rhododendrons, and are particularly associated with areas of high soil acidity, such as Cornwall and Devon in the UK. They are highly valued for their very early flowering, often among the first flowers to appear in the late winter. Late frosts can damage the flower buds, resulting in misshaped flowers.
There is great variety of flower forms:-
- single (flat, bowl- or cup-shaped)
- semi-double (rows of large outer petals, with the centre comprising mixed petals and stamens)
- double:-
- paeony form (convex mass of irregular petals and petaloids with hidden stamens)
- anemone form (one or more rows of outer petals, with mixed petaloids and stamens in the centre)
- rose form (overlapping petals showing stamens in a concave centre when open)
- formal double (rows of overlapping petals with hidden stamens)
The following hybrid cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-
| Name | Parentage | Size | Flower colour | Flower type | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornish Snow | cuspidata × saluenensis | 04.0m² | white | single | |
| Cornish Spring | cuspidata × saluenensis | 04.0m² | pink | single | |
| Francie L | reticulata × saluenensis | 64.0m² | rose-pink | double | |
| Freedom Bell | × williamsii | 06.5m² | red | semi-double | |
| Inspiration | reticulata × saluenensis | 10.0m² | rose-pink | semi-double | |
| Leonard Messel | reticulata × saluenensis | 16.0m² | rose-pink | semi-double | |
| Royalty | japonica × reticulata | 01.0m² | light red | semi-double | |
| Spring Festival | × williamsii, cuspidata | 01.0m² | pink | semi-double | |
| Tom Knudsen | japonica × reticulata | 06.3m² | deep red | double paeony | |
| Tristrem Carlyon | reticulata | 10.0m² | rose pink | double paeony |
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Simple-flowered Camellia × williamsii cv. 'Brigadoon'
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Semi-double-flowered camellia cultivar
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Double-flowered camellia cultivar
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Double-flowered hybrid cv. 'Jury's Yellow'
Read more about this topic: Camellia
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