Camellia x williamsii ‘Elegant Beauty’

A well-deserved name for this hybrid camellia, award-winning Camellia x williamsii ‘Elegant Beauty’ features large, rose-pink flowers, 5 in. wide (12 cm), of anemone or peony form, adorned with a central mass of petaloids and darker veining. The pretty blooms are profusely produced in mid-season (January to March in the Northern Hemisphere; June to August in the Southern Hemisphere). This camellia enjoys a luxuriant evergreen foliage along its arching branches. Emerging bronze-tinted, the leaves turn rich, dark green and remain handsome year-round.

• This evergreen shrub has an upright spreading habit and grows up to 4-8 ft. tall (120-240 cm) with a spread of 6-8 ft. (180-240 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 early morning sun and from 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 screen and hedge. Perfect as a specimen plant and may be effectively grown in tubs or large containers. Great for espaliers too!
• 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.