Overview
Camellia taliensis is a bushy shrubs in the genus Camellia, part of the Theaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Camellia taliensis grows best in full shade and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden and patio and container plants.
About
Camellia taliensis (also known as Yunnan large leaf varietal tea, wild tea, Dali tea, Yunnan broad tea, Fried egg plant and others; 大理茶) is a small species of evergreen shrub whose leaves and leaf buds are used to produce tea. It is of the genus Camellia of flowering plants in the family Theaceae. C. taliensis is an important wild relative to the cultivated tea plant Camellia sinensis. It also belongs to the same section Thea as C. sinensis. Camellia taliensis occurs in the montane evergreen forest at the elevations of 1100 - 2750 m in China, Myanmar and Thailand (Fig. 2). In the garden it prefers full shade and partial shade and most soil types. In UK gardens it is hardy in most of the UK (RHS H5). Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden and patio and container plants. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained, well-drained conditions and north-facing, west-facing and east-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Camellia taliensis
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Camellia
- Sunlight
- Full shade, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Camellia taliensis size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Camellia taliensis
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
- 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
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Camellia taliensis?
Camellia taliensis prefers full shade and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Camellia taliensis need?
Camellia taliensis is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including clay, loam and sand. It prefers acid and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Camellia taliensis hardy in the UK?
Camellia taliensis has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Camellia taliensis?
Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings.
More in the Camellia genus
- Camellia 'Ice Follies'camellia 'Ice Follies'
- Camellia 'Scented Sun'
- Camellia caudata
- Camellia japonica 'Adelina Patti' carmine sport
- Camellia japonica 'Adolphe Audusson Variegated'
- Camellia japonica 'Benidaikagura'
- Camellia japonica 'Benten-kagura' (v)
- Camellia japonica 'Benten-tsubaki' (v)