Camellia japonica 'Elegans'

Nestled in the East Ridge and Furrow section of the Pavilions is Camellia japonica ‘Elegans’ a chance seedling selection of Camellia japonica ‘Anemoniflora’ made by Alfred Chandler at his nursery in Vauxhall London in 1832.  In fact, Camellia japonica ‘Anemoniflora’ is growing next to ‘Elegans’. 

Camellia japonica ‘Elegans’ has large rose-pink anemone-centred double flowers up to 12.5cm in width with notched petals and occasional white petaloids in the centre. The foliage is wavy and lax with semi-matt leaves. A reliable variety it has a spreading and vigorous low habit and grown outside, flowers in March with a height of 125-150cm in 10 years. Like many of the garden varieties of Camellia japonica it is hardy but the buds and flowers are susceptible to injury by morning and late frosts, so here inside in the cool greenhouse, its flowers are able to show superbly. 

As with most Camellias they require acid to neutral soil that needs to be moist but well drained and to be planted in partial, dappled to full shade. They do require shelter but will do well in most aspects except for south facing ones. Outside they are ideal as woodland and understorey planting. They do make an excellent container plant but should be repotted every three years or so using an ericaceous compost, and wrapping the container with protective material if freezing conditions persist in winter, to prevent the roots freezing in the pot. 

Camellia japonica is native to China and Japan and the genus name given by Linnaeus honours Georg Joseph Camel (1661-1706), a German Jesuit missionary to the Philippines noted for his work on Oriental plants.

Camellia japonica ‘Elegans’ is one of the most widely planted Camellias. The original plant is still housed in the conservatory at Chiswick House and Gardens in London and was planted in the 1830s, supplied by Chandler & Sons Nursery Vauxhall, London