''Camellia'' × ''williamsii'' is a
cultivar group
A Group (previously cultivar-groupInternational Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants, 4th edition (1969), 5th edition (1980) and 6th edition (1995)) is a formal category in the ''International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants'' ('' ...
of
hybrid evergreen shrubs that are derived from a crossing of ''
Camellia saluenensis
''Camellia saluenensis'' is a species of ''Camellia'' native to southcentral China. A large bush, it is a parent of a number of garden hybrids. 'Cornish Snow' ('' C. cuspidata'' × ''C. saluenensis'') which flowers in midwinter, and 'Inspiration' ...
'' with ''
Camellia japonica''.
It was originally bred in 1923 at
Caerhays Castle in
Cornwall by
John Charles Williams.
Cultivars
Williamsii cross camellias are hardier than most, and will grow outside anywhere in the UK. Some varieties are known to perform better in colder climates than in warmer ones. 'E.G. Waterhouse', for instance, grows better in Melbourne than it does in Sydney, where it was bred. Hybrid vigour has made the group unusually
floriferous, with such varieties as 'St Ewe' flowering for four to five months (December to April in the UK).
Some crosses show the elliptical and pointed leaves of ''C. saluenensis'',
others the more rounded leaves of ''C. japonica''. Some crosses introduced colours new to camellias: 'Donation' is said to be Tyrian rose, 'Lady Gowrie'
fuchsine pink. Nearly all crosses have flowers with translucent petals.
More than 100 named cultivars have been bred.
[
]
AGM cultivars
The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit
The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a long-established annual award for plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It is based on assessment of the plants' performance under UK growing conditions.
History
The Award of Garden Merit ...
.
Gallery
File:Camellia x williamsii 'Brigadoon'.JPG, 'Brigadoon'
File:Camellia x williamsii 'Citation'.jpg, 'Citation'
File:Camellia x williamsii 'Debbie'.jpg, 'Debbie'
File:Camellia × williamsii 'Daintiness'.jpg, 'Daintiness'
File:Camellia x williamsii 'La Sonnambula'.JPG, 'La Sonnambula'
File:Camellia × williamsii 'Taylor's Perfection'.JPG, 'Taylor's Perfection'
File:Margaret Waterhouse 2 RBG 19-8-2017.jpg, 'Margaret Waterhouse'
Cultivation
''C.'' × ''williamsii'' is an excellent companion to other acid-loving woodland plants such as rhododendron
''Rhododendron'' (; from Ancient Greek ''rhódon'' "rose" and ''déndron'' "tree") is a very large genus of about 1,024 species of woody plants in the heath family (Ericaceae). They can be either evergreen or deciduous. Most species are nati ...
. It grows best in acid soil, ph5.5-6.5, in a sunny or partially shaded, sheltered position. In areas with frost and cold winds, it should be positioned facing away from the morning sun, as the flower buds are easily damaged.
See also
* List of Award of Garden Merit camellias
* Eben Gowrie Waterhouse
Eben Gowrie Waterhouse (1881–1977) was an Australian who had three distinguished careers. Starting out as an innovative teacher of languages, he became one of Australia's most prominent Germanists when classical German culture still commanded ...
References
williamsii
Hybrid plants
{{Theaceae-stub