Camellia japonica Lady Vansittart

Camellia japonica 'Lady Vansittart' is an old variety of unrestrained fancy. It stands out first of all by its mischievous flowers, each one different, but also by its strangely curled, dark green and shiny leaves, which somewhat resemble those of holly. Its semi-double corollas, shaped like large tulips, are sometimes randomly streaked or spotted with red, pink or white, and sometimes perfectly solid in white, pink or almost red. They bloom in late winter and early spring on a compact and bushy shrub that will undoubtedly make a big impression in a large pot on the terrace or on its own in the garden, in partial shade, in acidic and moist soil.

The 'Lady Vansittart' Camellia, imported from Japan to Belgium around 1890, belongs to the Theaceae family. Some specialists believe this variety to be identical to the Japanese cultivar 'Edo-nishiki'. It is a bushy shrub with a slightly upright habit, almost as wide as it is tall, reaching approximately 1.30 m (4 ft) in height and 1.20 m (4 ft) in width at 10 years old. From March to May, earlier or later depending on the climate, it produces flowers of 6 to 9 cm (3.5 in) in diameter, semi-double, very unusual. Each flower, composed of 18-19 petals arranged in 3 rows, is more or less striped or marbled with soft pink to medium pink, or carmine pink to almost red, on a pale pink or white background. When fully open, pretty golden yellow stamens appear in the centre of the flower, some of which can be petaloid. The evergreen foliage consists of large elliptical leaves, 10 cm (4 in) long by 4 to 5 cm (2 in) wide, leathery, finely toothed and strongly serrated on the edges, dark green and glossy on the upper side. While this shrub is hardy down to -15°C (5°F) in the ground, its flower buds can be destroyed by snow, icy wind, and temperatures below -5°C (23 °F).

The 'Lady Vansittart' Camellia japonica thrives in mild and humid climates and flourishes in coastal regions, in acidic, humus-rich, and well-drained soil. It will tolerate a sunny but not scorching site in favourable climates, but will give its best in partial shade or even shade, protected from intense sunlight and sheltered from strong winds. It can be planted in e.g. a shrub bed, alongside other acid-loving plants such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Cornus Kousa, or even Kalmia Latifolia. But it would be a shame to drown this exceptional variety, with its unique charm, in a tangle of foliage or flowers. It deserves a special place, near the entrance of the house or in a beautiful pot on the terrace, to be stored away in winter in very cold climates.