Camellia Japonica ‘Margaret Davis’

🌺Grow beautiful blooms in an evergreen garden during the cooler months of the year. The Camellia Japonica Margaret Davis produces a rich display of dense foliage and creamy white, peony like flowers with bright rose petal margins. It is a hardy, long living plant that likes acidic soil. It looks great in a feature pot and also makes a wonderful hedge or espalier.

🌹Camellia Japonica Margaret Davis is a well-loved early flowering camellia that was introduced in 1963 in Australia and has remained popular ever since. It is a regular winner at flower shows around the world thanks to its stunning blooms. The pale buds open to creamy white ruffled flowers with a distinctive raspberry-rippled edge. The peony-form flowers come early, appearing in late winter into early spring. The flowers are large measuring up to 10 cm across. 
Foliage is dark glossy green and remains on the shrub all year round. New foliage may appear slightly bronze-tinted before maturing into green throughout the summer. It makes the perfect Christmas gift for gardeners as so many plants are not in flower at this time of year.

• Flower Colour: White
• Flower Type: Double
• Flowering Month: February, March, April
• Soil Type: Acid
• Aspect: Partial Shade
• Hardiness*: Hardy
• Foliage Type: Evergreen
• Foliage Colour: Green
• Height after 10 years*: 1.2-1.5m (4-5ft)
• Pot Size: 3 litre
• Uses: Plants for containers, Low maintenance

HOW TO GROW🌱

Cultivation: Camellias dislike lime and grow best in a neutral or acid soil; (pH 7 or below) that is humus-rich, moist and free-draining. They are happiest in a semi -shaded position with a westerly or sheltered northerly aspect. It is important to avoid south or east facing positions because the flowers may be spoilt by the early morning sun following frosty nights. Neither will they tolerate an exposed windy position, nor a soil which tends to become waterlogged in wet weather. The light dappled shade provided by trees and other shrubs is ideal as long as there is sufficient moisture at the roots.

Camellias may be planted at any time of year provided that the ground is not too frosty. Incorporate plenty of peat or leaf mould into the planting area and, when planting against a wall (or fence), ensure that your hole is at least 30cm (12”) away from the wall so that the natural rainfall is available to the plant. This will also prevent too much moisture being sucked out of the root ball by the wall. Taller plants may need staking for the first year or two.

It is essential that newly planted camellias are kept well watered during dry spells in the first few years after planting as leaves and flower buds will drop if young plants are allowed to dry out. A mulch of peat applied in early spring will be beneficial in retaining moisture during the summer months. Feed three times a year with a sequestered iron fertiliser to maintain strong healthy growth and to encourage plenty of flowers. Use a systemic insecticide in June or July to prevent attack by scale insects.

Pruning: Is not usually necessary but where needed , should be carried out after flowering. Carefully deadhead all camellias after flowering