Camellia 'Spring Festival'

camellia

• Position: partial or full shade
• Soil: moist but well-drained, humus-rich, acid soil(or ericaceous compost for container-grown specimens)
• Rate of growth: fast-growing
• Flowering period: February to April
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  The slightly glaucous foliage of this lovely camellia will look good all through the year, but it is from late winter to mid-spring, when it produces lots of small, double flowers in fine shades of pink, that this evergreen shrub will be most highly prized. A handsome addition to the shrub border, it has upright, pillar-like growth, so won't dominate its neighbours.
  
  
• Garden care: To prevent damage to the emerging buds and flowers protect from cold, dry winds and early morning sun. Water established plants in dry weather to prevent bud drop. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser in mid-spring and again in June. Top-dress annually with shredded bark or well-rotted leaf mould. After flowering lightly trim or prune any branches that spoil the appearance of the plant.