Camellia Fairy Wand

A shrub with a free habit, the rustic 'Fairy Wand' Camellia blooms abundantly with single flowers ranging from dark pink to red. Of medium growth, it is ideal for a pot.

This variety blooms from February to April and forms a bush with a free and dense habit, measuring 1m (3 ft 4 in) in height and 0.80m (2 ft 7 in) in width. It produces a large quantity of small single flowers, ranging from dark pink to red, with a diameter of about 4-5cm (2 in). Its leaves, a beautiful dark green, measure 5 to 7cm (2.8 in) in length and are evergreen. Hardy down to -10°C, this variety can be grown in partial shade or in full sun, sheltered from cold winds. It prefers acidic, humus-rich, moist and light soils.

Plant the 'Fairy Wand' Camellia 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 attributed in 1735 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Von Linnaeus, in homage to Georg Josef Kamel (Latinized as "Camellus"), an apothecary in the service of the Jesuits in the Philippines in the late 17th century. It was not until 1792 that the Camellia arrived in Europe.