Camellia ‘Minato-No-Akebono’

Delightfully fragrant, Camellia ‘Minato-No-Akebono’ features attractive, miniature, single, shell pink flowers, 2-3 in. wide (3-6 cm), graced with a prominent cluster of golden stamens at their heart. Very free-flowering, the exquisite flowers are borne in profusion along the elegantly arching branches over a fairly long period extending from early to late season (November to April in the Northern Hemisphere; April to September in the Southern Hemisphere). Rich with a pleasing fragrance, they offer a beautiful contrast against the lush evergreen foliage of glossy, dark green leaves. ‘Minato-No-Akebono’ is a camellia hybrid resulting from the cross of Camellia japonica and Camellia lutchuensis.

• This medium-sized evergreen shrub has a weeping habit and grows at a medium rate up to 5 ft. tall (150 cm) and 3-5 ft. wide (90-150 cm)
• A part shade lover, this plant is best grown in consistently moist, acidic, organically rich, well-drained soils. Will thrive in full sun once established, provided that the roots are kept cool and moist. 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 control size and shape.

Camellia lutchuensis is a deliciously fragrant native to southernmost China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan’s Ryukyu Islands, where winters are mild. Prized by breeders for its fragrance, this camellia is actively incorporated in the development of fragrant Camellia hybrids. Slow-growing, this camellia species makes a lovely shrub of upright, open habit, generally no taller than 9 ft. (270 cm). Its evergreen, glossy dark green foliage is attractive year-round. Blooming from late midwinter to early spring, its small to medium flowers, with pink-flushed outer petals, are pure white and clustered at the branch tips. Unfortunately, Camellia lutchuensis is not cold-hardy (USDA Hardiness Zone 8 – 9).