Camellia edithae 'Jiuqu' (Dongnan Shancha)

Dongnon Shancha Camellia. The flower of this Chinese species from a distance closely resembles C. japonica, but upon closer observation the leaves are distinct, having a unique pronounced venation, somewhat similar to that of C. granthamiana. The flowers of this cultivar are a very formal double pink, somewhat resembling 'Pink Perfection' but much darker. It is one of the latest flowering Camellias around, flowering for us on into April. Hence, one usually misses late freezes here. Upon further research we have found that the cultivar name "Dongnon Shancha" is actually the common name for this species in China. In China there are two recognized cultivars, 'Momudan', a dark red double, and 'Jiuqu', a formal pink. We think that 'Jiuqu' is the correct cultivar name for this selection, even though 'Dongnon Shancha' has been accepted for decades. As with all Camellias, plant shallow with some protection from afternoon sun. Even in containers we have never had any cold damage outside and unprotected. I'm not sure of the ultimate cold hardiness.

Zones 7-9