Camellia japonica Nuccios Jewel

A bush with a free habit, Camellia 'Nuccio's Jewel' is a variety with double flowers of an unusual colour, light pink with salmon nuances in the centre and orchid pink at the tips.

This variety blooms from March to May and forms a bush with a free and dense habit, reaching a height of 1.50m (5 ft) and a width of 1m (3 ft). It produces double flowers with unusual colours, a beautiful light pink with salmon nuances in the centre and orchid pink at the tips. They measure about 6-7cm (2.8 in) in diameter. Its flowering is an event not to be missed. Its leaves are a matte green colour. They measure 5 to 7 cm (2.8 in) in length and are evergreen. Hardy down to -14°C, this variety is grown in partial shade, sheltered from cold winds. It prefers acidic soils, humus-rich, moist and light.

Plant Camellia 'Nuccio's Jewel' in an ericaceous bed alongside azaleas, Skimmia, Japanese Quince, and heathers. Plant in autumn with some spring bulbs e.g. tulips and daffodils for a magnificent and colourful scene. Its compact size also allows for cultivation in pots. Place it on a partially shaded terrace, alongside a wall, protected from cold and drying winds.

The name Camellia was given to the plant in 1735 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, in tribute to Georg Josef Kamel (Latinized as "Camellus"), an apothecary in the service of the Jesuits in the Philippines in the late 17th century. It wasn't until 1792 that the Camellia arrived in Europe.