Camellia japonica Marshmallow

Camellia japonica Marshmallow is a new variety of Camellia that bears adorable small anemone-shaped pink flowers. Its compact growth allows it to thrive both in the garden and in pots.

While we are familiar with Camellias with overlapping petals, varieties with anemone-like flowers, such as Marshmallow, are still rarely found in gardens. And that's a shame because their appearance is as surprising as it is charming.

With early flowering, Camellia japonica Marshmallow is covered from February to April with small double flowers whose petals form a cherry pink crown surrounding a white petaloid stamen heart, slightly tinged with pink. Its evergreen foliage is composed of small, dark green, rounded and glossy leaves. It has a compact habit and reaches a height of 1.2 m (4 ft) with a width of 1 m (3 ft) in about 10 years.

Belonging to the family Theaceae, the Camellia thrives in mild and humid climates and flourishes in coastal regions, while still benefiting from good hardiness (down to -15°C (5 °F)). It is a plant that thrives in acidic, humus-rich and well-draining soil. It will tolerate full sun in favourable climates, but performs best in partial shade, protected from scorching sun and sheltered from strong winds.

Plant it out in the garden in a shrub bed, alongside other acid-loving shrubs such as Azaleas, Daphnes or even Kalmia Latifolia.