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Camellia sasanqua 'Rainbow'

camellia 'Rainbow'

A vigorous, upright large shrub or small tree, up to 6m high, with leaves, up to 8cm long, that are purple when young, then glossy bright green above and paler beneath. From autumn to early winter it produces fragrant single flowers, up to 7cm across, which have white petals edged with pink, and conspicuous golden yellow stamens

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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Red Green
Summer Green
Autumn Gold Pink White Green
Winter Gold Pink White Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Theaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow outside in cool, moist, humus-rich, acidic soil in sun or light shade, and with shelter from cold winds, early morning sun and late frosts, for example in a woodland garden; mature plants will survive British winters, but they will flower better under glass, so they may also be grown in a lime-free compost in containers, and taken indoors to flower; for more advice, see camellia cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings, by hardwood cuttings, by layering, or by grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Wall side borders
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 1 or pruning group 8

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

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