Camellia x vernalis ‘Asahi-no-minato’

Position: Light shade

Flowering period: Early spring

Soil: Moist, well drained, acidic

Eventual Height: 2m

Eventual Spread: 2m

Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

Family: Theaceae

Camellia x vernalis ‘Asahi-no-minato’, commonly known as Camellia, is an evergreen shrub with large glossy dark green leaves. Camellia x vernalis ‘Asahi-no-minato’ is a hybrid between Camellia sasanqua and Camellia japonica. Its red flowers may be attractive to honey bees. This shrub provides good sheltering habitat for birds. Camellia x vernalis ‘Asahi-no-minato’ may be used as a formal or informal hedge if planted in suitable conditions. This plant requires consistently moist soil.

Camellia x vernalis ‘Asahi-no-minato’ (11/03/24 Kew Gardens, London)

Camellia x vernalis ‘Asahi-no-minato’ flower (11/03/24 Kew Gardens, London)

Landscape Architecture

Camellia sinensis

Camellia sinensis (15/04/2015, Imperial Palace East Garden, Tokyo, Japan)

Position: Full sun to dappled shade

Flowering: Spring

Soil: Moist, well-drained, acidic

Eventual Height: 5m

Eventual Spread: 3m

Hardiness: 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

Family: Theaceae

Camellia sinensis is an evergreen flowering shrub or small tree with a bushy habit. Its dark green leathery leaves are elliptic with serrulate margins and a cuneate tip, up to 14cm long and 7.5cm broad. Its white flowers are up to 4cm across with prominent yellow stamens and appear along the branches, particularly at the ends.

Camellia sinensis, commonly know as Tea Plant, Tea Shrub or Tea Tree, is native to south, east and southeast Asia. In it native habitat it grows in evergreen broadleaved forests. This shrub is commercially grown to produce tea.

The etymological root of the binomial name Camellia is derived from and named after the botanist George Kamel (1661 – 1706), a Czech born missionary. Sinensis is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from China’.

Camellia sinensis Leaf (15/04/2015, Imperial Palace East Garden, Tokyo, Japan)

The landscape architect may find Camellia sinensis useful an evergreen, spring flowering shrub which thrives in acidic soils. It may also be grown as an effective evergreen hedge. This plant should be positioned in a site sheltered from cold, dry winds and early morning sun as buds and flowers may be damaged by cold winds and frosts.

Ecologically, Camellia sinensis flowers are attractive to some pollinating insects.

Camellia sinensis prefers moist, humus rich, fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers neutral to acidic soils. It dislikes dry soils.

Camellia sinensis requires little maintenance. If necessary, pruning should be carried out after flowering.



Landscape Architecture

Camellia sasanqua

Camellia sasanqua (01/04/2015, Tokyo, Japan)

Position: Full sun to shade

Flowering: Late autumn to winter

Soil: Moist, well-drained, acidic

Eventual Height: 5m

Eventual Spread: 5m

Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Theaceae

Camellia sasanqua is an evergreen winter flowering shrub with a bushy habit. Its dark green leathery leaves are elliptic with serrulate margins, paler on the underside, up to 7cm long and 3cm broad. Its white to deep pink flowers have protruding yellow stamen, are up to 7cm across and appear along the branches, particularly at the ends. The fruit consists of a three compartmented globe shaped capsule.

Camellia sasanqua, commonly known as Sasanqua Camellia, is native to Japan and China. In it native habitat it grows at an altitude of up to 900m as part of a mixed scrub mosaic. It has a long history of cultivation in Japan, its leaves being used for tea and its seed being used for oil production.

The etymological root of the binomial name Camellia is derived from and named after the botanist George Kamel. Sasanqua is derived from the vernacular Japanese name for this plant.

The landscape architect may find Camellia sasanqua useful as an evergreen winter flowering shrub which will tolerate shaded conditions and acidic soils. It may also be used as an effective evergreen hedge, it should be noted that flowering will be greatly reduced if it is used for this purpose.

Ecologically, Camellia sasanqua is of little wildlife value in the UK.

Camellia sasanqua Leaf (01/04/2015, Tokyo, Japan)

The Royal Horticultural Society has given a number of varieties of Camellia sasanqua their prestigious Award of Garden Merit.

Camellia sasanqua prefers moist, humus rich,  fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers neutral to acidic soils. It dislikes dry soils.

Camellia sasanqua requires little maintenance. If necessary, pruning should be carried out after flowering.