Geographic origins: California.
Discovered by: Frank Maitland, 1956.
Adult dimensions: Height up to 10 metres, width up to 5 metres.
Foliage: Evergreen, dense dark green and upright form.
Type of soil: Not chalky and well drained.
Hardiness: Hardy to -17°C.
Exposure: Partial shade or full sun, sheltered from cold winds.
Characteristics and uses:
The Japanese Camellia 'Tom Knudsen' has peony-shaped flowers that are soft dark red in colour, they are sometimes semi-doubles. Flowers appear between February and April. To increase the number of flowers from year to year, it is a good idea to water the Japanese Camellia from April through to September. The Camellia 'Tom Knudsen' is very tolerant of pruning once the flowering period is over.
The Japanese Camellia 'Tom Knudsen' is a vigorous variety which is happy either planted as a lone specimen in the garden or in a border with other peat loving plants. It is also very beautiful when grown in a pot or planter on your balcony against either a trellis or a wall.
Other Japanese Camellia:
Japanese Camellia 'Black Lace', small overlapping flowers in soft crimson red
Japanese Camellia 'Debbie', large semi double flowers in a satin rose colour with deep pink veins
Japanese Camellia 'Margaret Davis', double iridescent white flowers with bright pink crimps
Japanese Camellia 'Nuccio's Cameo', large overlapping flowers that are light azalea pink
Japanese Camellia 'Nuccio's Gem', pure white flowers
Japanese Camellia 'Nuccio's Jewel', light pink petals with hints of salmon in the centre, surrounded by orchid pink edges
See the entire Japanese Camellia catalogue
See the entire Camellia catalogue