About
Camellia 'Michael' (_cuspidata_ x _saluenensis_) is a vertical, tidy evergreen shrub characterized by its slender, arching branches adorned with glossy, dark green leaves that feature serrated margins and emerge with a bronze tint. From February to March, it produces small, single white flowers complemented by yellow stamens.
About the genus
Camellia consists of evergreen shrubs featuring smooth, oval leaves that are glossy and leathery. These plants produce prominent flowers, which may appear either singly or in clusters, primarily in the early part of the year.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Prefers acidic soil with plenty of organic matter and good drainage. Position in light shade, and shelter from cold, dry winds. See camellia cultivation for more detailed advice
- Pruning
- Pruning group 8 (evergreens), after flowering
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer, or by grafting in late winter
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, scale insects and vine weevil
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), phytophthora root rot, camellia gall, camellia leaf blight, camellia yellow mottle virus and flowers and camellia petal blight