It’s hard to have just one favourite camellia. Not only are there hundreds of excellent cultivars already available, but exciting new ones are being released all the time. There are also many collectors’ camellias around, and although some of these obscure varieties are difficult to track down, they are well worth the effort. Don looked at a beautiful red and white camellia called Chandleri (Camellia japonica ‘Chandleri’). This cultivar was released by Chandler’s Nursery of Vauxhall, England, in 1825. Although it was once very popular, Chandleri is probably no longer available at nurseries.
Zig Zag Camellia (Camellia japonica ‘Unryu’)
This charming camellia, which has a curious zig zag branching pattern, originated in Japan. The name Unryu means ‘dragon in the clouds’, because to the Japanese the plant apparently looks like a dragon climbing up into the sky. The small, single flowers are crimson with deeper coloured veining.
Fishtail Camellia (Camellia japonica ‘Kingyo-Tsubaki’)
The leaves of the fishtail camellia are split and twisted at the tips, so that each leaf resembles the tail of a goldfish. Although this plant is valued more for its foliage than anything else, it also has sweetly perfumed, rose coloured flowers.
Cost and availability:
NSW
Three Bears Nursery, West Pennant Hills (phone: (02) 9484 2895) has small stocks of the zig zag camellia. Grafted 200mm (8") plants are about $35, and cutting grown plants cost around $14.50. Longview Garden Centre, Leura (phone: (02) 4757 1223) has grafted zig zag camellias available in 200mm (8") pots at $45 each.
VIC
The Diggers Club, Dromana (phone:(03) 5987 1519) has super tubes of the fishtail camellia for $6.00. Yamina Rare Plants, Monbulk has zig zag camellias available. Phone: (03) 9756 6335, fax (03) 9752 0308, web: www.yaminarareplants.com.au and email address [email protected]
SA
Newmans Nursery and Topiary Teahouse, Tea Tree Gully (phone: (08) 8264 266) has both fishtail and zig zag camellias in 200mm (8") pots for $22.95.
WA
Waldex Nurseries (phone: (08) 9382 3044) will order plants in for customers.
QLD
Camellia Glen Nursery, Palmwoods, QLD (phone: (07) 5445 0333) has Fishtail camellias, 200mm (8") pots at $10-$15.
