Camellia lutchuensis Sweet Emily Kate

Camellia ‘Sweet Emily Kate’ is a creeping variety with small, fragrant, double, pale pink flowers.

This variety blooms from March to May and forms a small, remarkable, prostrate and practically trailing bush, 60 cm (23.6 in) tall and 80 cm (31.5 in) wide. It produces a large quantity of small, fragrant, double, pale pink flowers with a diameter of about 4 cm to 5 cm (1.6 in to 2 in). Its dark green leaves measure 5 cm to 7 cm (2 in to 2.8 in) in length and are evergreen. Hardy up to -12° C (10.4° F), this variety is grown in partial shade or full sun, sheltered from cold winds. It likes acidic, humus-rich, moist and light soils.

Plant in ericaceous soil alongside azaleas, Skimmia, Japanese Quince, and heathers. Plant it in autumn with tulips and daffodils for a magnificent and colourful scene. Its compact size also allows it to be grown in a pot. Plant it on a semi-shaded terrace, along a wall, protected from cold and drying winds.

The name Camellia was given to the plant in 1735 by the Swedish naturalist Carl von Linné, in homage to Georg Josef Kamel (Latinised 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.