Forum home› Plants

Camellia Lucky Star

jayne10bjayne10b Posts: 101
in Plants
I was in the local Wyevale garden centre today and saw a beautiful camellia called Lucky Star.  Can anyone comment on this particular variety?  Also, does anyone know if this goes by another name as the 5L pots for sale were £60!

I've attached a picture if that helps.  The label photo is a pretty good representation of the flower on the plant.

TIA


Posts

  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 7,913
    Extraordinary prices for a Camellia these days...  I don't grow this variety, I used to have one called 'Donation' which is a more double form, very closely related..

    These are Camellia x williamsii hybrids... this one you have originated at a nursery in California some 20 years ago...  it should do well for you in neutral to acid soil..

    Camellia x williamsii hybrids started in Cornwall bred by a well known nurseryman called Mr J C Williams... one of the best Camellias, similar to the one you have, is named after him...   they are bred from Camellia saluensis x Camellia japonica... and there are a large number to choose from..

    Do enjoy your Camellia... it's lovely..
     
    East Anglia, England
  • jayne10bjayne10b Posts: 101
    Thanks @Marlorena for posting.  I never bought the plant due to its price tag, but was wondering if it went by another name that would be less expensive if not branded.  I'm now going to look up 'Donation' and see if I can find the Mr J C Williams one you mention.
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 7,913

    hi Jayne... no it doesn't have any other name... best left on the shelf at that price...  Donation is one of the most popular Camellias in this country.. it grows very large over time... JC Williams was the first of this type to be introduced and it is considered still one of the best there is,.. however I should caution about this one... it's not quite as hardy as some others... I'm in East Anglia and I lost one to severe winter freezes about 10 years ago..  if you live on the western side or south coast.. you would be o.k...  it is undoubtedly one of the best Camellias ever raised..

    If you want a real easy one, that grows very narrow and upright, so fits into most gardens even small ones, and has the most beautiful young foliage which is a bronze colour... then look for Camellia 'Spring Festival'.. it's available online and probably garden centres..

    Here is a photo I took today of mine... it's a young plant but growing nicely and full of bloom..

    Camellia cuspidata 'Spring Festival'...

    it started flowering a month ago...

    East Anglia, England
Sign In or Register to comment.