As long as they are planted in acid soil, camellias are not difficult to grow, and will even thrive in tricky semi-shaded areas, needing only minimal care once established. Most grow into large shrubs or small trees, but are extremely versatile and can be used as wall shrubs, hedges or superb container specimens. For centuries, camellias have been popular in Japan and China, as can be seen on many of their works of art. Gardeners in Britain first grew these new plants in the early 18th century and by 1850, the camellia had become a prized ornamental shrub. Victorians loved the formality of the blooms and the elegant nature of the evergreen foliage. But, after the Victorian era, interest in camellias waned. Only in the 1950s did they become fashionable again, helped by the introduction of new varieties and species. Recommended varieties - Camellia. japonica is the most popular garden species of camellia with the greatest number of varieties.
- C. japonica 'Adolphe Audusson' is a reliable semi-double camellia with dark red blooms.
- C. japonica 'Alba Plena' has been grown for centuries for its neatly packed double white flowers that remain the yardstick against which all other doubles are compared.
- C. japonica 'Fimbriata' is an old, double, white Chinese variety with fringed petals.
- Both C. japonica 'Contessa Lavinia Maggi' and C. japonica 'Tricolor' have white petals streaked with red producing a raspberry ripple effect.
- C. japonica 'Jupiter' is a fine single red camellia.
Other species of camellia - C. chrysantha is the fabled golden camellia of China which, due to its rarity, was only recently introduced into cultivation.
- C. lutchuensis is a highly scented species with small, white flowers native to only the southern Japanese islands.
- C. reticulata has some of the largest of any camellia flowers, making it an ideal specimen plant. In its native Yunnan province in China, it forms a loosely branched tree up to 20m (60ft) tall. It is much more restrained in cultivation.
- C. sasanqua 'Crimson King' is one of the first to flower. It carries its delicately scented blooms in the late autumn months.
- C. sasanqua 'Huge Stevens' is a very early flowering variety. It is a fast-growing dense upright shrub with large fragrant blooms, with masses of bright yellow stamens.
- C. sinensis is grown worldwide for its young leaves which, when dried and mixed with boiling water, make the infusion known and loved as tea.
- C. x williamsii The highly regarded C. x williamsii hybrids grow to about 5m (16ft) high and are well suited to most gardens. They shed spent flowers, unlike some varieties of C. japonica, and are able to recover themselves in new blooms after periods of severe weather.
- C. x williamsii 'Donation' is a large variety with semi-double, pink flowers that open early in the season and are carried over a long period. Possibly the most famous camellia hybrid, it forms a compact plant, perfect for small gardens or containers.
- C. x williamsii 'Golden Spangles' has distinctive variegated foliage - dark blotched with gold in the centre.
Growing tipsCamellias need shelter if they are to thrive. An area in dappled shade under trees is ideal, but they will tolerate a more open position if shaded for part of the day. A west-facing aspect is perfect as strong early morning sun on frosted flower buds can cause them to thaw too quickly and drop off. In very exposed gardens, camellias are best fan-trained on a west-facing wall. Generally, they prefer neutral or acid soil, although camellias will tolerate slightly limey soil, if it is well drained and fertile. Prepare the soil before planting by adding leaf compost and manure. Container cultivation is the answer for gardeners with chalky soils, since a bag of ericaceous compost will satisfy their needs for acidic growing conditions. Although they will flower without regular pruning, camellias can outgrow their allotted space unless kept in check. This is best done after flowering but before new growth begins. Deadheading should be done as the petals fade in order to tidy up the plant and prevent energy being wasted on setting seed. C. x williamsii varieties usually drop their flowers as they fade and do not require deadheading. Planting camellias video Watch Joe Swift's guide to planting camellias: 
ProblemsCamellias can suffer from scale insects, which look like tiny brown limpets clinging on to the stems and underside of the leaves. In addition to sucking the sap, they secrete honeydew on the leaf surface that becomes colonised by black sooty mould. Protect from aphids by washing them off or use a chemical spray. Yellow leaves are a common problem with camellias and usually indicate nutrient deficiency. The solution is to apply a balanced liquid fertiliser in spring and autumn. A type of virus sometimes causes yellow mottling or almost white leaves. This usually occurs on just a few branches and so can be cut out. Annually applied mulch of compost or manure around the root area is beneficial, especially in sandy soils. Avoid spent-mushroom compost as it contains lime. Camellias, whether in the ground or container, need careful watering in the summer months. A dry spell in summer is the most common cause of winter bud drop. Where to see them?National Collections of Camellias I Berry
Mount Edgcumbe House & Country Park
Cremyll
Torpoint
Cornwall, PL10 1HZ
Tel: 01752 822236
Website: www.mountedgcumbe.gov.uk
Opening times: see website for details
The Carew Pole Garden Trust Antony House
Antony House
Torpoint
Cornwall
PL11 2QA
Tel: 01752 812364
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Opening times: see website for details
Wentworth Castle Gardens
Lowe Lane
Stainborough
Barnsley
South Yorkshire
S75 3ET
Tel: 01226 731269
Website: www.wentworthcastle.org
Opening times: see website for details
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