Camellia x williamsii ‘Anticipation’

One of the most popular and easy to grow, award-winning Camellia x williamsii ‘Anticipation’ features great-looking, very large flowers of full peony form, 6 in. wide (15 cm), of deep rose-pink with 6 rows of guard petals and a ruffle of petaloids (small petals). The exquisite flowers are profusely produced over a fairly long period extending from early to late season (October to May in the Northern Hemisphere; March to October in the Southern Hemisphere). Bushy, this tall camellia has a luxuriant evergreen foliage of glossy, bright green leaves that is handsome year-round.

• This evergreen shrub has an upright habit and grows at a slow rate up to 7-15 ft. tall (210-450 cm) with a spread of 4-10 ft. (120-300 cm)
• Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• A part shade to full shade lover, this plant is best grown in consistently moist, acidic, organically rich, well-drained soils. Provide a site sheltered from cold, dry winds, as buds and flowers may be damaged by cold winds. Protect from the early morning sun and the direct hot summer afternoon sun.
• May be attacked by aphids, scale insects, and vine weevil
• Mass in mixed shrub borders for dramatic winter blooms. Great flowering shrub for woodland gardens or as a screen and hedge. Perfect as a specimen plant and may be effectively grown in tubs or large containers.
• Apply a root mulch (leaves or shredded bark)
• Prune after flowering. Prune to thin branching and to control size and shape.

Camellia x williamsii are the first camellia hybrids. Generally blooming after the Japanese camellias, they result from the cross of Camellia japonica and Camellia saluenensis. Among the most cold-hardy camellias (inherited from the japonica parent), most of them are extremely vigorous, free-blooming, with attractive, semi-glossy, leathery leaves. Graceful shrubs, they tolerate low light intensity and bloom over a long season, providing a spectacular show. They drop their spent heads with elegance (no deadheading required!), leaving a tidy bush. They feature a wide range of habits, from dwarf to large and spreading.