Camellia tsaii
Tsai camellia
A large evergreen shrub or small tree that can reach up to 10m high, with pendulous branches and elliptic, glossy dark green leaves, sometimes with wavy edges. Produces small single white flowers from the leaf axils from mid to late winter
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | White | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Theaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Pendulous weeping
- 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
- Myanmar, China, Vietnam
How to grow
Cultivation
This half-hardy species may be grown outdoors in frost-free areas, though in colder areas it is best grown in a bed in a cool greenhouse, or in a large container that can be moved indoors over winter. Outdoors, grow in acidic soil in partial shade and maintain a deep mulch year round; under glass, grow in lime-free (ericaceous) compost in bright filtered light and water with soft water (rainwater). See camellia cultivation for more detailed advice
Propagation
Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Pruning group 8 (evergreens)
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 susceptible to camellia petal blight
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