Black Magic Camellia. When one first observes this Camellia in flower, the first thought is that this really can't be real. The color is such a glistening "black-red" that it looks almost artificial. And each flower appears somewhat different, some more double than others with slightly different shapes as one can see from the pictures below. The leaves are also slightly wavy with deeply serrated edges, very similar to 'Holly Bright,' if you are familiar with that cultivar. It is a vigorous grower. Someone who competes in Camellia shows here in the South remarked to me that when this cultivar first came on the scene, it was so unique that there was difficulty in which class to put it. The best way to describe it is STRIKING!!! Always remember, plant Camellias shallow. I have been asked to diagnose Camellia problems on numerous occasions, and 90% of the time a plant was planted too deeply. And give them good drainage. They are a very long lived plant. One of the four original Camellia plants brought into American by Andre Michaux, chief gardener of King Louis XVI of France, and given to his friend Henry Middleton (who served as president of the Continental Congress) is still alive at Middleton Gardens just outside of Charleston, South Carolina. His son Arthur Middleton was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Zones 7-9
