Camellia minutiflora

Short Description

Species. Tiny white fragrant flowers that open from red buds. New foliage bronze toned and gracefully arching. Evergreen. 2m

More Information

Camellia lutchuensis var. minutiflora (syn. Camellia minutiflora), a small-flowered natural variety of an evergreen shrub native to eastern China, including Hong Kong. The species can grow to 6m tall, though var. minutiflora seldom exceeds 4m and often has a semi-weeping growth habit.

Use as an Ornamental

As a hedge plant at 70cm centres.

As an ornamental it can be used as a feature plant or background plant. Do not plant against a house. Plant has weeping form and flowers cover the plant in spring.

Like all Camellias if the plant gets old and loses form, prune severely back to a stump 30 - 50cm high. After a few weeks new shoots will appear from the stump and the plant will reform.

Cultivation

Camellias will grow in full sun or partial shade. In very dark shade the plant may still grow but will likely lose all form as it searches for light.

Camellias do like a good rich loamy soil to grow in. Poor soils (clay, sand) will cause stunted growth, and foliage color may fade to a lighter green and even cause yellowing.

Ground should be average garden conditions. Excessive irrigation should be avoided once planted as excessive water can cause root rot. Root rot shows the same foliage symptoms as drought.

Plant at the same depth as it is in the container, give a good water to settle the dirt around the roots, and generally leave alone apart from pruning. A newly planted plant will only need additional water through the first summer, and then only 1 to 2 times per week in very dry conditions.

Generally, Camellias should require no fertilizer after planting assuming reasonable top soil. If fertilizer is required use an NPK with FE, and only a teaspoon fill sprinkled over the soil surface within the drip line.

After planting Camellias tend to do nothing for several weeks while the settle in. Most growth occurs mid spring onwards.