A Camellia Update

This week all the delectable varieties of Camellia reticulata are coming into flower.

Flowers are massive; some as large as dinner plates, up to 25cm across. Flowers have a ruffle of petals, and come in rich reds, deep pinks and crimson. These beauties flower later and longer than other camellias, blooming between early May and late September. Most varieties bloom for two months.

We’ve been growing ‘Valley Knudsen’ for almost 40 years. It’s an old variety, actually a cross, Camellia saluenensis x C. reticulata ‘Buddha’, developed in California in 1958 by Howard Asper and hard to find these days. Reticulata species of camellia grow bigger than C. japonica with bigger blooms. This one has flowers 12cm diameter! It prefers morning winter sunshine.

We recommend these reticulata camellias: Valentine Day, Lois Shinault, Winters Own Variegated and Ellie's Girl. You will find them at Camellia Grove, a specialist camellia nursery in Glenorie, Sydney.

Camellia reticulata ‘Valley Knudsen’

'Winters Own Variegated' is another incredible variety of Camellia reticulata … this one is large to very large semi double to peony form. Bright pink in colour, heavily marbled with white. Flowering early to mid-season. Medium bushy upright growth. Hard to find!

Camellia reticulata ‘Winters Own Variegated’ . Photo - Lois Rasmussen

To read more about these fabulous camellias read Linda Ross’s story, Camellia reticulata