Camellia lutchuensis

Camellia lutchuensis is the most fragrant of wild camellias. With its tiny white spring flowers, its lovely rounded habit and its delicate foliage, it is very different from other camellias and will charm even those who criticise these bushes as being too stiff and artificial-looking. This botanical species, native to southern Japan, requires a moist, non-chalky soil and is resistant to moderate frosts, down to around -9°C for short periods of time. The bush, attractive even outside of the flowering season, will keep its lovely foliage throughout the year. Definitely worth a try, either on its own in the garden or on the terrace, in a pretty pot to store under cover in cold regions.

Camellia lutchuensis is a botanical species found in southeastern China, Taiwan, and the Ryukyu Islands, located southwest of Japan. In the wild, it forms a beautiful bush or a small tree measuring 4 to 7 metres (13 to 23 feet) in height, but it will remain much smaller in European climates. Like all camellias it belongs to the family Theaceae. The sweet fragrance of its flowers has led breeders to hybridise it with many other camellias.

This bush has a flexible, rounded, and branching habit and shows rapid growth for a camellia. It will reach an average of 1.2 m (4 ft) in all directions at maturity. Its blooms are abundant and remarkably fragrant, usually occurring in March-April. White flower buds with pink variegation open in large numbers. The solitary or clustered flowers can resemble those of the orange tree. Each one measures about 4 cm (1.6 in) in diameter and is composed of 5 rather triangular, pure white petals, sometimes slightly tinged with pink. The heart of white stamens covered with yellow pollen is clearly visible. The foliage is dense and evergreen, the small, thick, ovate leaves taper to a point and have finely toothed edges. They measure about 4 cm (1.6 in) long and 2 cm (0.8 in) wide. Their colour is slightly olive, fairly dark, and glossy green.

Camellia lutchuensis, like all camellias, thrives in mild and humid climates rather than in cold regions, where its hardiness may be insufficient and its flowering destroyed by late frosts. On the other hand, it does not appreciate dense shade and will tolerate sunny sites as long as they are not scorching. Where winters are relatively mild it can be planted in the garden as a solitary specimen or in combination with other acid-loving plants (Rhododendron, azaleas, Hydrangea, Hamamelis, Pieris) in a shrub bed. Its wild appearance and delicate flowering are marvelous in a natural or cottage garden, with a Chimonanthus praecox, for example. You can also adorn its base with spring bulbs (daffodils, tulips, wood hyacinths) or autumn bulbs such as colchicums or cyclamen. In cold regions it can be planted in a container on the balcony or terrace, to be brought indoors to a conservatory or cold greenhouse during flowering.