Camellia reticulata favourites

 

Red Crystal

This dazzling red camellia is New Zealand’s gift to the camellia world. It’s a cross between C.reticulata ‘Crimson Robe’ and C. japonica ‘Wildfire’. Velvety orange-red petals open to 14cm to reveal gold stamens. Flowers mid-season.

Photo - Linda Ross 

Valentine’s Day

Is this the most perfect reticulata ever? It’s loved for its rosy-red formal double flower and rosebud centre. It was created in 1958 and is a strong grower, happiest in semi-shade.

Photo - Linda Ross 

 

Dr Clifford Parkes

This hybrid was developed by Dr. Clifford Parkes at his Los Angeles arboretum in 1971. It is a large semi-double, with both loose peony and full peony forms on the same tree. Flowers are a brilliant flame-red, mid-season.

Photo - Linda Ross 

 

Ellie’s Girl

Bred by Mrs Bess Chambers in Pymble, Sydney in 1994, this is a beautiful formal double fuchsia-pink form with eight layers of petals. Flowers mid to late in the season. The tree is a fast, upright grower.

Photo - Linda Ross 

 

Francie L.

A hybrid created in 1964 at Nuccio Nursery in California. It has a tall leggy habit, with large semi-double rose-pink blooms, and rather narrow foliage. Flowers late in the season, with blooms lasting through spring.

Photo - Linda Ross 

 

Valley M. Knudson

A favourite in Graham and Sandra’s garden, this camellia carries profuse numbers of bright, orchid-pink flowers on a shapely small tree. It was bred by Howard Asper in 1958, and has the same parentage as ‘Valentine’s Day’.

Photo - Linda Ross 

 

Text: Linda Ross

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