Camellia reticulata x williamsii 'Leonard Messel'

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Key characteristics

Family: Theaceae
Height: 8 to 10 ft
Width: 6 to 10 ft
Flower color: Large, semi-double blooms in clear to deep rose-pink; often with deeper veining
Foliage color: Evergreen leaves, mid- to dark green, somewhat textured
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring
Light: Part shade to dappled shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low; prune lightly after flowering to shape and remove dead wood
Growing zone: USDA zones 7 to 9
Wildlife: Early-season flowers may provide pollen/nectar for pollinating insects when weather permits

Shrubs

Camellia reticulata x williamsii 'Leonard Messel'

Leonard Messel Camellia

Camellia x williamsii 'Leonard Messel' is an evergreen shrub producing glossy matt-green leaves and abundant large semi-double flowers of clear rose-pink, each with prominent yellow stamens and often deeper color veining. The blossoms open from late winter into spring, commonly from November through April, offering months of floral display that brighten shaded garden corners, woodland borders, or mixed hedging.

Originally bred at Nymans, Sussex, England in 1958 by the Messel family, 'Leonard Messel' is a hybrid between a reticulata type and a x williamsii parent.

Light

Part shade to dappled shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Late winter to early spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Foundation Plantings
Specimen Plants
Woodland Gardens
Shade Gardens

Companion plants

Holly · Pulmonaria · Oxalis · Japanese aralia · Celandine · Coral bells

Design tip

A long flowering season makes this camellia especially useful for carrying color through the quieter months of the garden. Consider repeating softer pinks in nearby winter and spring bloomers, creating a gradual succession of color rather than relying on a single burst of seasonal interest.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)