Camellia lutchuensis

Common Name:
Camellia
Plant Type:
Evergreen shrub
Family:
Theaceae (The Tea Family)
Geographic Origin:
China and Taiwan
California Native?:
No

Plant Size:
6 feet or more
Landscape/Garden Uses:
Foundation plantings
Flowering Season:
Spring

Flower Color:
Cream
Exposure:
Light shade
Soils:
Well-drained soil

Suggested Irrigation:
Moderate watering
Estimated Hardiness:
Hardy to 15-20 degrees F.

This is a closely branched, leafy shrub, with arching slender stems. The leaves are pointed-oval in outline and 1-2 inches long in the current selection. The flowers are carried all along the younger stems in the leaf axils. They are nearly bell-shaped, a little under an inch long, pure white, and sweetly fragrant. Camellias thrive in sun or shade along the coast but need some shading during summer heat inland. Though they tolerate many soils, they grow best and show the beautiful deep greens for which their leaves are noted in well drained, acid soils, with moderate to regular watering.