Camellia williamsii Donation

Camelia (x) williamsii 'Donation' is part of a series of hybrids known for their hardiness and ease of cultivation in cool and humid climates. They were developed by cross-breeding the famous Camellia japonica and Camellis saluenensis, a robust Chinese species lesser known to gardeners. 'Donation' is one of the most charming: this beautiful bushy shrub with a slightly trailing habit bears large, delicately crumpled semi-double flowers in a tender and fresh pink finely veined with deep pink, centred on a beautiful core of golden stamens. They flower abundantly for 3 to 4 months, from winter to spring, on lush evergreen foliage. This excellent variety tolerates exposure to the sun fairly well. Create a sensation by training this camellia on a north-facing wall!

Camellia 'Donation' belongs to the family of Theaceae. This is one of the first williamsii hybrids, introduced to the market in 1941. This variety, which has never ceased to seduce generations of gardeners, is a sure thing. Its growth is extremely fast. The shrub shows a graceful habit, flexible, upright and trailing, supported by well-branched vegetation. It can be trained or left to grow freely. Its vigorous growth can be contained by regular pruning, as it can occupy more than 1 m (3 ft 4 in) on the ground. After 10 years, it will measure about 1.20 m (3 ft 11 in) in height and 1 m (3 ft 4 in) in width. From January to March-April, it produces an abundance of quite exceptional semi-double flowers, 12 cm (4.7 in) wide, composed of silky and slightly crumpled petals. They begin with a deeper pink at bloom, then fade a little at full bloom, releasing petals finely veined with deep pink on a light pink background, with a large cluster of yellow stamens at the centre. These flowers wither gracefully, dropping their petals like rain.

Its evergreen foliage consists of large elliptical leaves, 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 in) long, leathery, toothed, dark green and glossy on the upper side. While this shrub is hardy down to -15°C (5 °F) in open ground, its flowering may be compromised by snow, icy wind, and temperatures below -5°C (23 °F), especially if grown in a pot.

Camellia williamsii is a hardy plant, but it particularly enjoys mild and humid climates and thrives best in coastal regions, in acidic, humus-rich, and well-drained soil. It tolerates full sun, but will give its best in partial shade or even shade, protected from scorching sun and sheltered from strong winds. In the garden, you can site it, for example, in a mixed hedge or within a shrub border, alongside other camellias ('Adolphe Audusson') or other acidophilous plants like Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Cornus Kousa, Japanese maples, or even Kalmia Latifolia. However, it would be a shame to drown this magnificent variety in a tangle of foliage or flowers. It deserves a prominent place, near the entrance of the house, trained against an east or north-facing wall, or in a beautiful pot on the terrace, to be stored away in winter in very cold climates. This camellia can also be an excellent alternative to roses for ornamental purposes in wet and partially shaded areas. Combined in a sunny border, their blooms will succeed each other from January... to October!

Note: unlike rhododendrons, camellias tolerate pot cultivation very well, including non-dwarf varieties. Their compact clump root system is content in a fairly restricted space, provided it is regularly fed and watered (with non-calcareous water).