In only its third winter in the garden, Camellia vietnamensis has already surpassed our expectations. The large, single white flowers that start for us in early winter, combined with the beautiful foliage has been exceptional in our trials. So far, our plants have sailed through 14 degrees F. There seems to be quite a bit of difference in the winter hardiness of various clones of the species, but this form, selected by the late camellia guru, Cliff Parks, has been exceptional. Some taxonomists have now synonymized this with Camellia drupifera, but 2019 DNA research showed it closest to Camellia taliensis, so we’ll await consensus before changing tags.
Camellia vietnamensis
Camellia vietnamensis
Looks very fastigiate. Are other forms less fastigiate?
Perhaps the photo made it look fastigiate, which it is not. Since this is the only clone we’ve grown, I can comment about the variability in form.
Looks stunning! Nice in combination with Farfugium japonicum!
Just wondering if this species is used for tea.
We don’t know first hand, but would expect so.