Camellias

Camellia japonica subsp. japonica var. japonica
Distribution: Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, particularly on the islands off the southern coast,
and in eastern China and its islands.
Known in Japan as yabu tsubaki; this is the form from which the majority of our cultivars derive.
The flowers are single, 5-8cm across, with five to eight petals. Red is the most common colour, but is found through various shades
of pink, with the occasional white bloom.
Leaves are variable, from 5-10cm long and 2.5-6cm wide, but with definite stalks. Dark green and shiny above, pale green below,
usually with fine serrations on the margins.
Seeds are sometimes used in Japan for oil production, for hair treatments.
Winter to late Spring.