Camellia x williamsii ‘Daintiness’

In the early 1930s a man called J C Williams hybridized several Camellia japonica with Camellia saluenensis.  Many of his resulting hybrids are magnificent bushes (though there are a few I like less), cold-hardy to minus 15ºC, and able to prosper in many situations.

The one depicted below had been introduced to La Cloche [http://www.naturetum.com] in 1989, and flowers profusely since then, generally in late January to March.  

In 2011, thank to a relatively mild weather, I had the exquisite pleasure to see the first flower opening on the very day of my anniversary, December 27th.  What a serving plant!   In early January, there were already several tens of flowers open, with many hundreds of buds awaiting.  

This depicted specimen is roughly 2.5 meters high to four meters wide, and is planted in full sun with no protection.  However, the soil surrounding this bush is very rich and very well-drained.  I had to remove several other bushes to accommodate this specimen steady growth, and more removals may have to occur in the future.

I planted this year two of his children and I am attempting to grow more specimens of this outstanding cultivar.

But today I would like to thank Mr. Williams for the joy he has created!

Camellia x williamsii  ‘Daintiness’  [C. japonica  ‘Magnoliiflora’  x C. saluenensis ]

ID-368 Specimen-465 since 1989

Naturetum de Sologne  La Cloche  massif Sud Est  6 January 2012