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Shrubs

Camellia oleifera

A vigorous, upright evergreen shrub, with elliptic, leathery dark green leaves with serrated edges. Small, fragrant white flowers are produced in mid to late autumn

Synonyms

Camellia drupifera

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Ultimate height

4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Theaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright, Bushy
Genus: Camellia are evergreen shrubs with simple, ovate, glossy, leathery leaves and showy flowers with solitary or clustered flowers early in the year
Name status: Correct
Plant range: China, Indochina

How to grow

Cultivation

Prefers acidic soil with plenty of organic matter and good drainage. Position in light shade, and shelter from cold, dry winds. See camellia cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 8 (evergreens), after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, scale insects and vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus, Phytophthora root rot, camellia gall, camellia leaf blight, and camellia yellow mottle virus. Flowers may be infected by camellia petal blight

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