Camellia × williamsii

Camellia × williamsii
Camellia × williamsii 'Roger Hall'
GenusCamellia
SpeciesCamellia × williamsii
Cultivar group× williamsii
OriginOriginally bred in Cornwall by J.C. Williams.[1]

Camellia × williamsii is a cultivar group of hybrid evergreen shrubs that are derived from a crossing of Camellia saluenensis with Camellia japonica.[1] It was originally bred in 1923 at Caerhays Castle in Cornwall by John Charles Williams.[2]

Cultivars

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Williamsii cross camellias are hardier than most, and will grow outside anywhere in the UK. Some varieties are known to perform better in colder climates than in warmer ones. 'E.G. Waterhouse', for instance, grows better in Melbourne than it does in Sydney, where it was bred. Hybrid vigour has made the group unusually floriferous, with such varieties as 'St Ewe' flowering for four to five months (December to April in the UK).[2] Some crosses show the elliptical and pointed leaves of C. saluenensis,[3] others the more rounded leaves of C. japonica. Some crosses introduced colours new to camellias: 'Donation' is said to be Tyrian rose, 'Lady Gowrie' fuchsine pink.[4] Nearly all crosses have flowers with translucent petals.

More than 100 named cultivars have been bred.[1]

AGM cultivars

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The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Name Flower colour Height (m) Spread (m) Ref.
Anticipation rose-pink 4.0 2.5 [5]
Bowen Bryant pink 4.0 4.0 [6]
Brigadoon pink 4.0 2.5 [7]
China Clay white 2.5 2.5 [8]
Clarrie Fawcett pale pink 4.0 4.0 [9]
Daintiness salmon pink 4.0 2.5 [10]
Debbie rose pink 4.0 4.0 [11]
Donation pink 8.0 8.0 [12]
E.T.R. Carlyon white 4.0 2.5 [13]
Elegant Beauty rose pink 4.0 2.5 [14]
Elsie Jury rose pink 4.0 2.5 [15]
George Blandford pink 4.0 4.0 [16]
Glenn's Orbit deep pink 4.0 4.0 [17]
J.C. Williams pale pink 4.0 4.0 [18]
Joan Trehane pink (light) 4.0 4.0 [19]
Julia Hamiter pink/white 4.0 4.0 [20]
Jury's Yellow white/yellow 4.0 4.0 [21]
Les Jury crimson 2.5 1.5 [22]
Muskoka pink/red 4.0 4.0 [23]
Ruby Wedding red 2.5 2.5 [24]
Saint Ewe rose pink 4-0 4.0 [25]
Señorita pink 2.5 2.5 [26]
Water Lily rose pink 4.0 2.5 [27]
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Cultivation

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C. × williamsii is an excellent companion to other acid-loving woodland plants such as rhododendron. It grows best in acid soil, ph5.5-6.5, in a sunny or partially shaded, sheltered position. In areas with frost and cold winds, it should be positioned facing away from the morning sun, as the flower buds are easily damaged.[28]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Rowell, Raymond J. (1980). Ornamental Flowering Shrubs in Australia. Australia: AH & AW Reed Pty Ltd. ISBN 978-0589501778.
  2. ^ a b "Camellias". Caerhays Estate. Archived from the original on 12 February 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  3. ^ Mitchell, Bob. "Plant of the month". St Andrews Botanic Garden. Archived from the original on 10 November 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  4. ^ Sparnon, Norman; Waterhouse, Eben Gowrie (1968). The Magic of Camellias; Creative Ideas for Japanese Flower Arrangement. Sydney: Ure Smith. Pages 36, 40.
  5. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Anticipation'". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  6. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Bowen Bryant'". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  7. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Brigadoon'". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  8. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'China Clay'". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  9. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Clarrie Fawcett'". RHS. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Daintiness'". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  11. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Debbie'". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  12. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Donation'". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  13. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'E.T.R. Carlyon'". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  14. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Elegant Beauty'". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  15. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Elsie Jury'". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  16. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'George Blandford'". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  17. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Glenn's Orbit'". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  18. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'J.C. Williams'". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  19. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Joan Trehane'". RHS. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  20. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Julia Hamiter'". www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  21. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Jury's Yellow'". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  22. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Les Jury'". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  23. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Muskoka'". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  24. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Ruby Wedding' (D) | camellia 'Ruby Wedding' Shrubs/RHS Gardening". RHS. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  25. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Saint Ewe'". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  26. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Senorita'". RHS. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  27. ^ "Camellia × williamsii 'Water Lily'". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  28. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.