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Key characteristics

Family: Theaceae
Height: 8 to 12 ft
Width: 8 to 10 ft
Flower color: Single, clear rose-pink blooms
Foliage color: Evergreen dull dark green leaves
Bloom time: Late winter through spring
Light: Mostly sun to dappled shade
Water: Regular watering
Maintenance: Low; occasional light pruning after flowering to shape and thin dead wood
Growing zone: USDA zones 7a to 9b
Wildlife: Early-season flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and other beneficial insects

Shrubs

Camellia x williamsii 'Mary Christian'

Mary Christian Camellia

Camellia x williamsii 'Mary Christian' is an evergreen shrub with an upright habit and dull dark green leaves. Along the branches, single rosy-pink flowers open with rounded petals around a small cluster of golden stamens. Blooming from late winter into late spring, it can show buds and open flowers together, giving a long season of color in lightly shaded gardens.

This hybrid of Camellia saluenensis and Camellia japonica was raised at Caerhays Castle in Cornwall, England, by J.

Light

Mostly sun to dappled shade

Water

Regular watering

Bloom time

Late winter through spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Foundation Plantings
Specimen Plants
Woodland Gardens
Shade Gardens

Companion plants

Sarcococca · Rodgersia · Cyclamen · Fatsia · Lungwort · Primrose

Design tip

A long season of rose-pink flowers makes this camellia useful for linking the late-winter garden with spring. Position it where the color can be seen from several viewpoints, creating a visual anchor that helps connect different areas as the surrounding garden changes through the season.