Camellia japonica Bobs Tinsie

Camellia 'Bob's Tinsie' is a type of Japanese camellia that is perfect for gardens or terraces. This plant produces small, beautiful anemone-shaped flowers that showcase its elegance. The flowers are bright red with a pom-pom of the same red shade in the centre, delicately tipped with white-silver. This bush is not very tall and has small, dark, and glossy leaves that enhance its late winter flowering. Camellia 'Bob's Tinsie' prefers partial shade, acidic and light soils, and humid climates.

The camellia 'Bob's Tinsie', introduced in the USA in 1962, belongs to the family of theaceae. It is a slow-growing bushy and erect shrub, with deep roots, which will reach approximately 1.20 m (3 ft 11 in) in height and 70 cm (27.6 in) in width at 10 years old under good growing conditions. From February to April, it produces numerous small anemone-like flowers, measuring 6 to 8 cm (2.4 - 3.1 in) in diameter. This shrub has a flower with a tightly packed centre. The centre contains numerous stamens that have transformed into petals. These petals are arranged in a wide dome and are scarlet and silky. There are 7 to 9 petals in the corolla. The shrub's leaves are evergreen and small. They are elliptical, 6 to 8 cm (2.4 - 3.1 in) long and 4 to 5 cm (1.6 - 2 in) wide. The leaves are very dark green and glossy on their upper side. They are leathery and have fine teeth at the edges. The shrub can tolerate cold temperatures down to -14°C in the ground. However, its flowering may be affected by snow, icy winds, and temperatures below -5°C (23°F).

The camellia plant known as 'Bob's Tinsie' is originally from Japan. It grows best in mild, humid climates and is often found in coastal areas. The plant prefers soil that is acidic, humus-rich and well-draining. Although it can handle full sun in coastal regions, it does better in partial shade, protected from strong winds and intense sunlight. In the garden, you can plant it in a shrub border, along with other acidophilous plants like Rhododendrons,  Azaleas, Cornus Kousa, Japanese maples or Kalmia Latifolia. However, It would be unfortunate if other foliage or flowers overshadowed this beautiful flowering plant. Therefore, it should be given a special spot either near the entrance of the house or in a lovely pot on the terrace. In areas with very cold climates, storing the plant away during the winter is essential.