sign in sign up
<<
Home , Camellia

Hardy Camellias For The Delaware Valley A summary by Charles O. Cresson Camellias thrive in similar conditions to those ‘Lu Shan Snow’ is a with large white preferred by with acid soil and flowers and exceptionally fine cinnamon- partial shade, but are more tolerant of heavy colored bark. The original , received by soils, drought, summer heat and pruning. the U. S. National Arboretum from Lu Shan, Individual also have a considerably China in 1948, has grown to a large on the longer bloom season since the flower buds open edge of Asian Valley at the Arboretum and in succession. Camellias flower more profusely thrived during the severe winters of the late in a partially sunny location, but are at greater 1970’s when most other camellias were killed. risk for winter damage. With the introduction of It was used in many of Dr. Ackerman's hybrids. hybrids with increased hardiness, they will (Thea sinensis) : This become superior evergreen garden plants is the earliest to bloom, bearing small compared to rhododendrons in the Philadelphia white flowers with prominent yellow stamens region. Certainly, camellias are excellent from September to November. Generally, the companions. small leaved forms are the hardiest. Apparently, Spring Blooming this species does not hybridize with other fall- Flowering usually begins in March for the blooming species. Normal chromosome #: 30. earliest and continues into early May Zone 7. In the Orient and also South Carolina, with the latest cultivars. A few exceptionally C. sinensis is the commercial source of green early cultivars may begin to flower in autumn. and black tea, depending upon curing and processing. : Large deep green glossy leaves and large flowers of heavy substance. ‘Rosea’ (‘Red Leaf’) is an attractive form with White, pink, red. Normal chromosome #: 30. pink flowers and burgundy new growth. Zone 7. Related Species Fall Blooming Other species used in the hardy hybrids are C. x Flowering begins in October and continues hiemalis (winter blooming) and C. x vernalis through November or December, until night (early spring blooming), both believed to be temperatures drop into the low 20's, when hybrids of C. japonica and C. sasanqua, which flower buds are killed. Following light frosts, originated in Japan long ago. They are of little new flowers open from the remaining buds. use in the north because it is too cold when they tend to bloom, but they form a genetic bridge : Small glossy leaves with between the parent species for breeding smaller flowers of thinner substance than C. purposes. C. saluenensis, from China has been japonica. White, pink and red. Normal widely hybridized with C. japonica to produce chromosome #: 90. Zone 7. C. x williamsii, but these hybrids have not : Similar to C. sasanqua, but generally proven as hardy as the toughest traditionally considered less decorative for its japonicas. Yet, they have been crossed with C. more olive green matte foliage and narrow oleifera to create some of the hardy spring petaled white flowers. Leaves are also larger blooming hybrids. and bark can be a striking cinnamon color. Many other species are being introduced from Normal chromosome #: 90. Zone 6. In China, China. C. chekiangoleosa, similar to C. where it is native, C. oleifera is an important japonica, is among the most promising hardy crop, cultivated as a source of tea-oil which is spring blooming species. A promising hardier expressed from the . form of C. cuspidata is also now available.

1 Fall Blooming Hybrids habit, exceptional cinnamon bark. -10F, z 6A.

Breeders: Ack=Ackerman, ‘Mason Farm’ (CF) (sasanqua x oleifera F2) CF=Camellia Forest, North Carolina white tinged pink, large single, early, vigorous State University/J.C. Raulston Arboretum, Nat'l habit. z 6B/6A Arb=U.S. National Arboretum ‘Polar Ice’ (Ack) (‘Frost Princess’ x oleifera) Bloom season: Early= early Oct-Nov, white, anemone, mid-late, slow-moderate, Mid= Late Oct-Dec, rounded arching habit. -10F, z 6A Late= Dec-Jan ‘Rosea’ (syn. ‘Red Leaf’) (sinensis) pink, ‘Arctic Ice’ (oleifera ) white with pink single, very early (Sept.-Nov.), low, rounded blushed edges, single, upright habit. Z 6 bushy habit, burgundy new growth. Similar to the typical small leaf form of tea plant. Z 6 ‘Aston's Pride’ (Ack) (oleifera x sasanqua ‘Santozaki’) very hardy, pale lavender pink, ‘Snow Flurry’ (Ack) (oleifera x ‘Frost single, mid, vigorous, spreading. -15F, z 6A Princess’) white, anemone, early, moderately vigorous arching habit. -10F, z 6A ‘Autumn Spirit’ (CF) (oleifera x sasanqua) deep pink, peony, early, upright compact habit ‘Survivor’ (CF) (sasanqua ‘Narumi-gata’ x w/ small leaves. z 6B/6A oleifera) white w/pink buds, single, early, upright compact habit. Possibly the hardiest ‘Carolina Moonmist’ (NCSU #1) (oleifera x Camellia Forest hybrid, -9F, z 6B/6A sasanqua ‘Cleopatra’) pink, single, blooms well in shade, early-mid, densely branched habit. z ‘Twilight Glow’ (CF) (oleifera x sasanqua) 6B/6A rose-pink, single, mid, compact wider than tall habit. z 6B/6A ‘Elaine Lee’ (Ack) (japonica ‘Mrs. Bertha Harmes’ x oleifera) white, semi-double, 3 3/4", ‘Winter's Beauty’ (Ack) (japonica ‘Billie hardier than average blooms, late, slow upright McCaskill’ x oleifera) shell pink, frilly peony, dense habit. -10F, z6A very hardy flower buds, late, Xmas-Jan, moderately vigorous upright habit. -15F, z 6A ‘Fairweather Favorite’ (Ack) (japonica ‘Frost Queen’ x oleifera) white with pink blush on the ‘Winter's Charm’ (Ack) (sasanqua ‘Takara- reverse, semi-double, 3", very floriferous with a wase’ x oleifera) lavender-pink, peony-rose long bloom season, late, dense upright growth. form, early, columnar habit. -10F, z 6A The hardiest of Ackerman's winter bloomers. - 15F, z 6A ‘Winter's Cupid’ (Ack) (oleifera x [sasanqua ‘Narumi-gata’ x hiemalis ‘Shishi-gashira’]) ‘Frost Prince’ (Ack) (hiemalis ‘Shishi-gashira’ white/edged pink, semi-double, late, semi- x oleifera) deep pink, single, early, moderate upright habit. -15F, z 6B vigor rounded upright habit. -5F, z 6B/6A ‘Winter's Darling’ (Ack) (hiemalis ‘Shishi- ‘Frost Princess’ (Ack) (hiemalis ‘Bill Wylam’ gashira’ x oleifera ‘Lu Shan Snow’) deep cerise- x oleifera) deep lavender pink, semi- pink, anemone, mid, semi-upright slow growth double/anemone, mid, compact upright rounded habit. -10, z 6A habit. -5F, z 6B/6A ‘Winter's Dream’ (Ack) (hiemalis ‘Peach Puff’ ‘Lushan Snow’ (Nat'l Arb) (oleifera) white, x oleifera) pink, semi-double, early, compact single, early, large shrub of upright, spreading upright columnar habit. -10F, z 6A

2 ‘Winter's Fancy’ (Ack) (hiemalis ‘Bill Wylam’ Spring Blooming Hybrids x [hiemalis ‘Shishi-gashira’ x oleifera])) deep pink, semi-double, early, moderately vigorous Bloom Season: early= Feb-Mar, upright spreading habit. -5F, z 6B mid= Mar-Apr, late= Apr-May ‘Aida’ (C. x williamsii hybrid) (‘Ville de ‘Winter's Fire’ (Ack) (‘Frost Prince’ x vernalis Nantes’ x C. saluenensis ‘Dogrose’) deep pink, ‘Takarazuki’) reddish pink, semi-double, mid- semi-double, mid-late late, Vigorous, fountain-like habit. -5F, z 6B ‘April Blush’ (CF-33) (‘Berenice Boddy’ x ‘Dr. ‘Winter's Hope’ (Ack) (oleifera ‘Lu Shan Tinsley’) shell pink, semi-double, mid Snow’ x ‘Frost Princess’) white, semi-double, mid-late, moderately vigorous upright habit. - ‘April Dawn’ (CF-29) (‘Berenice Boddy’ x 10F, z 6A ‘Herme’) pink, shell, white variegated, formal double, mid-late, upright vigorous habit ‘Winter's Interlude’ (Ack) (oleifera x C. species ‘Pink Tea’) clear pink, anemone, mid, ‘April Kiss’ (CF) (‘Berenice Boddy’ x ‘Reg upright habit. -15F, z 6A Ragland’) medium red, small formal double, early, compact moderate growth rate ‘Winter's Joy’ (Ack) ([sasanqua ‘Narumi-gata’ x hiemalis ‘Shishi-gashira’] x oleifera) bright ‘April Melody’ (CF) (‘Berenice Boddy’ x ‘Rev. pink, semi-double, mid, vigorous loosely John Bennett’) red, single, early-mid, vigorous columnar habit. -10F, z 6A upright compact habit

‘Winter's Peony’ (Ack) (oleifera x [sasanqua ‘April Remembered’ (CF) (‘Berenice Boddy’ ‘Narumi-gata’ x hiemalis ‘Shishi-gashira’]) x ‘Dr. Tinsley’) creamy pink, semi-double, light-medium pink, peony, mid, pyramidal early-late, vigorous fast growing. One of the hardiest of the April Series. habit. -5F, z 6B ‘April Rose’ (CF-31) (‘Berenice Boddy’ x ‘Winter's Rose’ (Ack) (oleifera x hiemalis ‘Kumasaka’) rose-red, formal double, mid-late, ‘Otome’) shell pink, small formal double, early- heavy bud set. One of the hardiest of the April mid, compact slow growing habit with Series for bud and foliage hardiness. somewhat droopy branch tips and small leaves, very floriferous. -15F (some report -23F), z 6A ‘April Snow’ (CF) (‘Triphosa’ x ‘Betty Sheffield Supreme’) white, rose form double, ‘Winter's Snowman’ (Ack) ([sasanqua late, compact relatively slow growing ‘Narumi-gata’ x hiemalis ‘Shishi-gashira’] x oleifera) white, pink in bud, semi- ‘April Tryst’ (CF) (seedling of ‘Yours Truly’) double/anemone, late, columnar habit. -10F, z bright red, anemone, mid, upright medium 6A growth rate. Flowers better than most anemone and peony forms in cold weather. ‘Winter's Star’ (Ack) (oleifera x hiemalis ‘Showa-no-Sakae’) rich pink, single, early, ‘Betty Sette’ (Ack) (japonica ‘Frost Queen’ x vigorous upright habit. -5F, z 6B japonica ‘Variety Z’) deep pink, formal double, 3 to 3 1/2", late, average upright dense growth. - ‘Winter's Waterlily’ (Ack) (oleifera x ‘Mini- 10F, z 6A no-yuki’) white, anemone, particularly frost resistant buds and flowers, late, slow to ‘Fire 'n Ice’ (Ack) (japonica ‘Tricolor Red’ x moderate growth rate with a rounded habit. - oleifera) bright red with a few white petaloids, 15F, z 6A semi-double/rose form double, late, average dense upright growth. -10F, z 6A

3 ‘Frost Queen’ (Ack) (japonica selection) white, ‘Spring Circus’ (Ack) (japonica ‘Tricolor Red’ semi-double, early-late, compact upright habit. - x oleifera) variable flowers ranging from bright 5F, z 6B red to pink to white with red line, semi-double, 3 3/4", late, medium upright dense growth. - ‘Ice Follies’ (Ack) (williamsii ‘November Pink’ 10F, z 6A x oleifera ‘Lu Shan Snow’) bright pink, semi- double, 4 1/2 - 5", mid, medium upright dense ‘Spring Frill’ (Ack) (oleifera x vernalis ‘Egao’) habit. -10F, z 6A Iridescent pink, rose form double, 4 1/2" mid- late, slow spreading dense growth. -10F, z6A ‘Jerry Hill’ (Ack) (japonica ‘Frost Queen’ x japonica ‘Variety Z’) rose-pink, formal double, ‘Spring's Promise’ (CF-2) (‘Berenice Boddy’ x 3 1/2" to 3 3/4", late, medium upright compact ‘Kumasaka’) rose-red, single, very early. habit. -10F, z 6A Flowers during warm spells in late winter to early spring, "thus the promise of spring". Also ‘Korean Fire’ deep red, single, spring, selected tolerant of slightly poor drainage. Slightly less from collected on a windswept island off hardy than April Series, z 6B-7A the northern coast of Korea, the coldest location ‘Spring's Song’ (CF-42) (seedling of ‘Sukiya’, where C. japonica grows wild. probably crossed w/ japonica) pink, small single ‘Kumasaka’ (old Japanese cv, pre 1695) deep flowers, small foliage. Overall, a uniquely fine rose, semi-double. One of hardiest of standard textured cultivar. cultivars. z 6B. References ‘Kuro Delight’ (Ack) (japonica ‘Kuro Tsubaki’ Growing Camellias in Cold Climates by x japonica ‘Variety Z’) maroon red, semi- William L. Ackerman. Noble House, Baltimore. double to peony, mid-late, slow spreading 2002 Available from Camellia Forest Nursery. growth habit. -15F, z 6A $40.00, including shipping. Beyond the Camellia Belt: Breeding, ‘Paulette Goddard’ Dark red, anemone to Propagating and Growing Hardy Camellias by peony, one of the hardiest of the standard William L. Ackerman. Ball Publishing, Batavia, varieties. Mid, z 6B. IL. 2007 Available from Camellia Forest Nursery. $45.00, including shipping. ‘Pink Icicle’ (Ack) (williamsii ‘November Pink’ x oleifera ‘Lu Shan Snow’) shell pink, Sources Of Camellias peony, 5" or more, mid-season, average upright Camellia Forest Nursery (hardy/nonhardy dense growth. Dark green leaves with improved camellias, rare ) 125 Carolina Forest Rd., winter sun tolerance. -5F, z 6B Chapel Hill, NC 27516, tel: 919-967-5529, ‘Red Aurora’ (CF) (‘Snowbell’ x ‘Midnight’) email: [email protected], web: rich pinkish red, semi-double/rose form, www.comforest.com vigorous plant with large leaves. mid, z 6B Rare Find Nursery (rare woody plants of all types, specializing in rhododendrons) 957 ‘Red Jade’ (CF-34) (japonica ‘Berenice Boddy’ Patterson Road, Jackson, NJ 08527, tel: 732- x ‘Midnight’) light red, semi-double, early-mid, 833-0613, email: [email protected], compact habit of moderate vigor. -9F, z 6B web: www.rarefindnursery.com ‘Spring Cardinal’ (Ack) (japonica ‘Tricolor Copyright: Charles O. Cresson 11\2013 Red’ x oleifera) deep red, formal double, early, Handout for program at Valley Forge ARS compact upright habit. -10F, z 6A banquet on November 15, 2015.

4