There are some plants that are inherently divisive – horticultural Marmite, either beloved or hated. Dahlias come to mind, as do chrysanthemums: big, brash, often in questionable colours. Another is the camellia, which can be dismissed as being a bit Barbara Cartland due to its unabashed pinkness, but is gloriously welcome in these dark days of January – and beyond.
When I think of camellias I think of them at their fairytale best: the enormous tree-like shrub versions that begin blooming at this time of year, alongside the azaleas in Cannizaro Park in Wimbledon. Or the charming oddity that is the camellia house in the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, where they belie their hardiness in that geometric Georgian building.
But while they are woodland plants and can grow vigorously in the right spot (with some shade and acidic soil), camellias actually make great small garden plants, too. I grew one on two different balconies before planting it in its forever home in the shadiest corner of my modest garden. They work well in pots – and if you have chalky soil you’ll have to pot them – although they get on just fine in clay, and make good statement winter plants in an otherwise quiet winter urban garden.
Choose an early-flowering variety to get most bang for your buck. While it’s true that some camellias spend most of the year just showing off their dark green, shiny foliage, the varieties that start flowering around now can keep going for up to three months. Look to Camellia ‘Inspiration’ for Barbie-pink blooms from January to April on a shrub that can grow up to four metres tall. To avoid frost damage and the used teabag-like appearance of fading blooms, plant them somewhere they won’t be hit by sunshine first thing: it’s the speedy thawing that causes the spoiled flowers.
Beyond brightening up grey seasons, camellias are a good choice to plant in rows as a screen or hedge, as they grow quickly. There is considerably more variety than you might imagine, too. Camellia japonica ‘Erin Farmer’ has an elegant, lotus-like pale pink flower, while C. japonica ‘San Dimas’ is small and dark with glowing golden stamens, which the pollinators will thank you for. Neither could be easily confused with the more familiar showy cerise numbers. There are also ruffly, peony-like ones (C. japonica ‘Brushfield’s Yellow’ and C. japonica ‘Mabel Blackwell’, both white).
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A word, too, for cut camellias in the house. They last well and are very cheery during dull January. They will easily fill a small vase, but I prefer to make a statement with one long, well-flowered stem, supported by a kenzan, or flower frog, in a large jug. Cut off any leaves and you can really appreciate the intricacy of their flowers. As for where to source them? Simply ask the Marmite question: I am fortunate enough to have a sister-in-law with a garden full of camellia trees she doesn’t much care for.
