Camellia japonica Virginia Robinson

The 'Virginia Robinson' Camellia is an ancient American variety of Japanese camellia, still appreciated for its romantic blooms in early spring. Vigorous, with an upright but compact habit, this bush bears semi-double flowers of beautiful size, in pale orchid pink or sometimes almost white, adorned with a beautiful heart of golden stamens. They open on dark and shiny green foliage which remains attractive throughout the year. The moderate growth, neat habit and watercolor hues of this camellia lend it to being grown in a large pot on the terrace or balcony for many years, bringing a lot of joy to the surroundings of the house from the earliest fine days.

The 'Virginia Robinson' Camellia, obtained in the 1950s in the USA, belongs to the family of Theaceae, like its ancestor Camellia japonica. It is a bushy upright shrub with deep roots, which will reach about 1.20 m (4 ft) in height and 90 cm (35 in) in width after 10 years. At maturity, after 15 to 20 years, it can reach 1.75 m (6 ft) in height and 1.50 m (5 ft) in width, under good growing conditions. In April-May, earlier or later depending on the climate, it offers numerous semi-double flowers, quite large, from 7 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in) in diameter, with slightly crumpled petals, ranging from pale pink to white-pink, arranged around a heart filled with yellow stamens. Its evergreen foliage is composed of large elliptical leaves, 10 to 12 cm (4 to 5 in) long, leathery, dark green and glossy on the top. While this shrub is hardy down to -15°C (5 °F) in the ground, its flowering may be compromised by snow, icy winds and temperatures below -5°C (23 °F).

Camellia japonica 'Virginia Robinson' prefers mild and humid climates and thrives in coastal regions, in acidic, humus-rich and well-drained soil. It will tolerate full sun in favourable climates but will give its best in partial shade, protected from scorching sun and sheltered from strong winds. It can be planted e.g. in a shrub border, alongside other acid-loving plants such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Cornus Kousa, or Kalmia Latifolia. However it would be a shame to drown this variety 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 sheltered during the winter in cold climates.