Camellia

Camellia - Handsome shrubs of the Tea order, mostly grown under glass in England, but in the Isle of Wight and the southern coasts of England and Ireland it is often laden with flowers. Most people who have Camellias in the open air find that they flower well five out of every six years, and that the plants are hardier than many shrubs that make their new growth early in the year. Their greatest enemy is fierce winds. In planting them out for the first time it is well to plant first some of the commoner kinds, and in sheltered spots; then, when these thrive, to continue with more valuable ones. The best aspect for Camellias is a south or south-west one, sheltered by a bank or wall, but in some districts they thrive on north walls. Planting from pots may take place at any period, but about July is the best time, as the wood is then well ripened. The Camellia is hardier than some more popular things, such as the Bay, or even the Cherry Laurel, and will not only grow in the south of England and Ireland, but in many other parts as well. When I first came to Gravetye, I put a group in what was then a copse, rather carelessly, and they have thriven ever since—that is to say, for twenty-five years certain, and have never turned a leaf in any frost or storm. The soil is rather poor, and the position slightly shaded under trees. They were never mulched or attended to, and are rather close-set. The only nourishment they have is the fall of their leaves ! One should keep to the single forms—red, rose, or white, as may be preferred. Camellias have been very much neglected in the past, the trade seeking double forms, which are not nearly as good for the open air.