Camellia (hybrid) Fairy Blush

Short Description
Hybrid. Masses of miniature soft pink flowers opening from pink buds. Fragrant. Suitable as a specimen plant, a tub plant or for hedging. 2-3m.

More Information
It was bred by Mark Jury (Taranaki NZ) and is a seedling of the camellia species C. lutchuensis.

Camellia Fairy Blush is classed as a miniature (flower size) camellia. The flowers are light apple blossom pink fading to a paler pink in the centre and wonderfully perfumed. These masses of flowers are borne all along the branches from tip to toe and are a great source of nectar for birds, especially Tui and Wax Eye in the winter months. Bees are also attracted in good numbers and there is a lot of research being done at present on the benefits of Camellia nectar for bees over the winter period.

Having small leaves and small flowers, it lends itself to being kept trimmed as a short hedge at 1m or left to grow to its natural height of around 2.5m to 3m if desired. You could grow it as a bush or trim it as a ball shape or pillar, and although ‘Fairy Blush’ is a good garden plant it is also a very good container plant.

(Ref: Canterbury Horticultural Society)

Cultivation Advice
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.