Spring Blooming Camellia Hybrids
This is a catch-all category including the showy × williamsii hybrids, cluster-flowering hybrids with numerous small flowers, C. lutchuensis hybrids with fragrance, C. nitidissima hybrids with yellow flowers and C. reticulata hybrids with huge flowers and distinct foliage.
Selections introduced by Camellia Forest are shown in blue.
Selections that are new this year are shown in green.
New Camellia Forest selections are shown in purple.
Where present, thumbnails can be clicked for a larger image.
NEW ‘Baby Bear’ (zone 8B?) – All aspects of this cultivar are miniature from the small narrow leaves and small stature to the one inch flowers. The single flowers vary from white to medium pink and open late in the season. The plant has very slow growth and has been used for bonsai and as a groundcover. This was introduced by Neville Haydon in New Zealand. $12.00
 CF ‘Ballet in Pink’ (zone 7A) - This plant performs like a 4th of July fireworks finale. Even small plants open flowers at each node along the stem so that the branch is completely covered by large orchid pink blooms. The flower and plant are typical of the C. × williamsii hybrids and is quite dieback resistant. The plant has upright growth especially when young. The leaves have reticulate veins and are quite leathery. (C. saluenensis × C. japonica ‘Kramer’s Supreme’) $15.00
NEW ‘Barbara Clark’ (zone 7) – This rose pink semi-double has done well for me outside for the last few years. I have found this hybrid parentage has good cold hardiness. The blooms open over a long period in spring and the plant has upright growth. (C. saluenensis × C. reticulata ‘Captain Rawes’ ) $12.00
 CF ‘Crimson Candles’ (zone 7A) - The bright rose-red single flowers are produced early in the season (February to March). The new foliage is bronze-red. This is a very vigorous and disease resistant variety. The sepals are red, so the flower buds are deep red all winter as they gradually elongate and mature -- The buds look like red candles. The heavily budded plants rival azaleas in full bloom and are months ahead. The vegetative and floral hardiness is excellent--even after nights in the low 20’s, the open flowers still have good color. (F2 of C. reticulata × C. fraterna) $12.00 and $24.00
 CF ‘Dr. Clifford R. Parks’(zone 8) – This very large flower has variable flower forms from semi-double to anemone or peony and the color is an intense red with an orange cast. The plant has very large leaves and an open and vigorous growth habit. The bloom is in mid-season. This epitome of a big red show flower actually will grow outdoors in central NC but the floral display is disappointing. The plant seems to be hardy to zone 7 but the flower buds are not so hardy. These are rooted cuttings. (C. reticulata ‘Crimson Robe’ × C. japonica ‘Kramer’s Supreme’) $15.00, $30.00 and $50.00
NEW ‘Francie L’ (zone 7) – This reticulata hybrid has the characteristic large flowers with wavy petals and also the vigorous and open growth with large leaves. ‘Francie L’ has performed quite well in the garden as the C. saluenensis parent seems to give the plant more cold hardiness. The rose-madder flowers are semi-double and have the brilliant color of the C. reticulata parent. (C. reticulata ‘Buddha’ × C. saluenensis ‘Apple Blossom’) $15.00
NEW ‘Freedom Bell’ (zone 7) – ‘Freedom Bell’ has an unusual coral red color to the flowers and blooms quite heavily early in the season. My plant has grown slowly to form a rounded plant with dark green leaves. This one has good disease resistance for an assumed C. x williamsii hybrid. $24.00
‘Gay Baby’(zone 7B at least) – This is one of the darkest colored cluster-flowered Camellias and also quite cold-hardy. The semi-double miniature flowers are a deep orchid pink and bloom early to mid-season. The new growth is a striking bronze-purple. (C. × williamsii ‘Ruby Bells’ × C. × ‘Tiny Princess’) $24.00 and $50.00
NEW ‘Hallstone Spicy’ (zone 8?) – This hybrid possibly from Ken Hallstone (although not named by him) has upright growth and a bright pink peony form flower. So far it has done well outdoors but is new to our collection. $12.00
‘High Fragrance’ (zone 7B) - The genetic material contains only one eighth C. lutchuenesis but the flowers do have a strong pleasant fragrance. Nice peony form flowers are pale pink and bloom in March and April. The plant is a rapid grower with an open habit and light green leaves. (C. japonica ‘Mrs. Bertha Harms’ × [‘Salab’ × ‘Scentuous’]) $24.00
 CF ‘Japanese Fantasy’ (zone 7B) - Small white flowers with pink markings are produced in such profusion that the bush almost resembles the Japanese Cherry when in bloom. The foliage is small and delicate, but the growth rate is rapid. The bloom season is early to mid season, usually in March for us. (C. japonica ‘Berenice Boddy’ × [C. saluenensis × C. rosaeflora]) $12.00 and $50.00
 ‘Kagirohi’(zone 8B) – A formal double yellow flowered Camellia bred by Kazuo Yoshikawa. Spherical buds open to display a medium sized pale yellow flower late in the season. The plant does not have much cold hardiness since it was killed back at 9oF last winter. This is not surprising since C. nitidissima is a subtropical plant. (C. nitidissima × C. japonica ‘Silver Chalice’) $25.00, $35.00 and $60.00
CF ‘Lavender Prince II’ (zone 7B) – The rose-orchid pink, semi-double, large flowers open in mid to late season (March to April). This is a very strong grower that blooms heavily when mature and is quite resistant to dieback. (C. japonica ‘Princess Lavender’ × C. × williamsii ‘Williams Lavender’) $15.00
 CF ‘Scarlet Temptation’ (zone 7A) – This bright rose-red, large single with ruffled petals blooms mid-season. The large intensely colored flower with its bright yellow center is very striking. The plant develops a rather erect form with good branching and has good cold resistance. (C. × williamsii ‘Williams Lavender’ × C. reticulata ‘Purple Gown’) $15.00
 CF ‘Spring Awakening’ (zone 7B) - The small, double, pink flowers are produced in such profusion that the foliage is hidden at the peak of bloom. This clone has a vigorous growth rate and fine texture. Place ‘Spring Awakening’ in your landscape where a splash of color is needed in the early spring. (C. japonica ‘Donckelarii’ × [C. saluenensis × C. rosaeflora]) $12.00
 CF ‘Spring Mist’ (zone 8A) – This blush pink, semi-double miniature has vigorous and spreading growth. This is one of the most fragrant hybrids with C. lutchuensis we have. The leaves have a pleasing light green color. (C. japonica ‘Snow Bell’ × C. lutchuensis) $12.00
 ‘Sweet Jane’ (zone 7B) - This cluster-flower variety has pale pink centers shading to deeper pink on the outer petals. The miniature flowers are formal double to peony form. The plant has vigorous and upright growth with very small leaves. This blooms over a long season from early to late. (C. japonica ‘Edith Linton’ × C. transnokoensis) $12.00
‘Taylor’s Perfection’ (zone 7A) – This C. x williamsii hybrid has the characteristics heavy bloom and lavender pink flower color. The plant has vigorous upright growth and the glossy leaves are quite sun tolerant. The semi-double blooms usually open in April for us. $12.00 and $15.00 |
