Shapes of growth that you can expect from the Camellias plant

There are 6 distinguishable shapes of growth among camellias. There are prostrate, pendulous, broad-compact, narrow-compact, broad-upright and cone-like upright.

Prostrate

The camellias only grow to about 80cm tall; however the shoots grow up to 2m. Examples include Fragrant Pink, Spring Mist and Wirlinga Gem.

Pendulous

These camellias grow producing an umbrella-like crown. Perfect examples are Elegans, Grand Prinx and Gialio Nuccio.

Broad and compact

They fan outwards as they grow. Perfect examples include Tiptoe and Fred Sander

Narrow and compact

These camellias have a column-shaped, compact growth which is very dense. Examples are Spring Festival and Anticipation.

Bread and upright

The shape of growth forms a stem which has a round crown. Good examples are Margaret Davis, Dr Burnside and Blood of China.

Cone-like and upright

This is a loose column shape with upward-growing branches. Examples include Debbie, Mrs Tingley and E.g Waterhouse.

Camellias leaves

Camellias belong to the sclerophyllous evergreen trees which are healthy leaves. The camellia leaf is normally elliptical, pointed, and short with serrations along the edges. The leaves are dark green, shiny and leathery. The leaves have short stalks and renew its foliage slowly almost unnoticeable. The camellia trees normally shed leaves after about 4 years the leaves change colour from green to light green then brownish-green and fall off. This is known as autumn colouring.

The structure of a camellia flower

1. shoot bud (small)

2. flower bud (large)

3. receptive with sepals

4. petals

5. stamens with anthers

6. stigma

7. style

8. ovary

Camellias flower at unusual times of the year from October to May when all other plants are dormant. The buds grow from the tips of the shoots in July. Camellias normally develop 7 buds. The flowers are normally white, with shades of red. Camellia chrysantha is the only camellia with yellow flowers.

Shapes of flowers

Camellias have 6 flower shapes. Single and semi-double have very visible stamens while the stamens in anemone-like, peony-like and rose-like double flowers are partially seen between the petals. Double flowers have no stamens and stigmas and are thus sterile.

Single-flowered flowers are easy to pollinate and will produce seed. After pollination has taken place the flowers will fall off and die. Double or formal double varieties cannot be pollinated and thus will always have flowers throughout the ye