CAMELLIA

1 year old plants
All £10.50 each, any 3 for £27.00 or any 5 for £40.00

2 year old plants normally
All £21.00 each, any 3 for £48.00 or any 5 for £70.00

Now until mid-January, whilst stocks last
All  £18.00 Each Any 3 for £42.00  Any 5 for £60.00

CODES
J = japonica
S = sasanqua
R = reticulata
W = x williamsii
Sp = species

Sizes and varieties available change throughout the year. For up to date availability see website. Please do specify substitutes if and where you can. Some varieties flower in OCT-NOV, others go on from JAN-MAY.

Genus of over 250 species of long-lived, elegant, evergreen shrubs and small trees, 1-20m (3-65ft) tall, from areas of acid soil in woodland areas from northern India and the Himalayas to China and Japan and south to northern Indonesia, Java and Sumatra. They usually have bold, glossy leaves and flowers in shades of white, pink, red or yellow. Some are fragrant.

Economically important in the subcontinent of India and Asia, the leaves of C. sinensis are processed for the beverage tea and C. oleifera produces tea seed oil used for cooking. The UK climate is suitable for camellia and "grow your own" tea is becoming popular, especially the green variety with its high level of antioxidants. C. sinensis var. sinensis is the China tea and C. sinensis var. assamica the Indian version.

Cultivated in the gardens of China and Japan for centuries before they were seen in Europe, varieties were brought in in the late 18th century by the British East India Company as the tea trade flourished.