Peter Valder is particularly fond of the williamsii camellias. These are hybrids between Camellia japonica and a wild camellia from Western China, Camellia saluenensis. They are named after John Charles Williams, who planted seeds of C. saluenensis in his Cornwall garden in 1930, and went on to produce hybrids which were long flowering, vigorous and very cold hardy.
The new camellias were eagerly planted and further developed by camellia growers around the world. One of the most popular was the beautiful ‘Donation’, a cross between C. saluenensis and C. japonica ‘Masayoshi’, bred in 1941 by Colonel Stevenson Clarke in Sussex. It has large, semi-double orchid pink flowers with darker veins running across the petals. ‘Donation’ is still considered by many to be one of the best camellias ever bred, and Peter Valder agrees. He thinks the williamsii hybrids are well worth planting if you live in an area with fairly severe frosts.
Camellia x williamsii hybrids may be difficult to find at nurseries, or even at specialist camellia nurseries, and you may have to put in an order for them. ‘Donation’ is in stock at: Newman’s Nursery and Topiary Tea House in South Australia (see below), priced at $25.95 for a 200mm (8″) pot. Wayne’s Home & Garden, 70 Bells Line of Road, North Richmond, NSW, 2758. Phone: (02) 4571 2036.
NSW
Camellia Grove Nursery
Camellia Grove,
8 Cattai Ridge Road,
Glenorie 2157
Ph: 9652 1200
QLD
Hawkins Gardenway,
1666 Old Cleveland Road,
Chandler, 4155
Phone: (07) 3390 1633
Fax: (07) 3390 1618
SA
Newman’s Nursery and Topiary Tea House
North East Road
Tea Tree Gully, 5091
Phone: (08) 8264 2661
WA
John Cole’s Nursery
Lot 5, Beenyup Road
Banjup, 6164
Phone: (08) 9417 9834