Vietnam Camellia. This species is native to northern Vietnam and Laos and southern China. It has very dense foliage and white flowers up to 5" in diameter which bloom from late fall to early winter and has a fragrance similar to that of Sasanquas. The monograph on the genus Camellia, Collected Species of the Genus Camellia, An Illustrated Outline, it is said that it is only cold hardy to the low 20's, but it has thrived at the Bamboo Farm, Savannah, GA, down to 15°F with no damage. We will be further testing it for hardiness. It says, "This species is extensively cultivated for oil production in China. Oil content of the seed ranges from 20.5% to 31.6%." It is thought by some to be a close relative of C. oleifera which is one of the principle Camellia oil species. It will make a large shrub to small tree which will exceed 30' in its native habitat but in the landscape, it can be easily kept at 8-10'. The first picture is courtesy of the Southeastern Camellia Society in their Camellia Web Express, dated Dec. 12, 2012. This is a actually picture of the cultivar Camellia vietnamensis 'Asian Moon.' The second picture is courtesy of Mike Chelednik.
Zones 8-9
