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Anyone in the USA grow the contorted Camellia?
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Posted by garypaulstut 9 Coastal N CAL (My Page) on Sun, Aug 8, 04 at 15:47
| Has an USA gardener grown the contorted camellia . . . Camellia japonica 'Unryu'?
Can you supply ultimate size, habit, and other cultural considerations? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Anyone in the USA grow the contorted Camellia?
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| Yes, the stems are very corkscrew just like Harry Lauder's Walking Stick. The bloom is not particularly special, but the plant structure makes it very interesting. The habit is spreading (bushy) but I don't know the ultimate size. I had a nice one I found 4 years ago at a nearby nursery (now out of business) but I planted it in bad spot where I later lost it to a root fungus before it got established. (Still bummed about that). I am sure there are some others around here, it was brought over from China by Tom Perkins of southern Mississippi. There may be a stock plant still at the old nursery. I will ask around to see if anyone is propagating it. If nothing else, maybe we can find you a scion to graft. Let me know if you don't find a plant and want us to locate some scions to send you. |
RE: Anyone in the USA grow the contorted Camellia?
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| Upon further thought, I recall hearing David Parks say that he is carrying this at Camellia Forest Nursery, so he may be able to send you one or give you some further direction. His father Clifford Parks would also be excellent authority on its native growing conditions and ultimate size. I don't think it requires any different conditions than other camellias, but you can see what an expert I am on this plant, having promptly killed mine!! Good luck on finding it. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Camellia Forest
RE: Anyone in the USA grow the contorted Camellia?
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| Thank you so much Al! It so happens I already have a small plant of this, and wanted to know more about it, and whether any local gardeners had any info to pass on! I *much* appreciate your willingness to pass along the info! |
RE: Anyone in the USA grow the contorted Camellia?
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| I've rooted cuttings of this twice, but found the resulting plants to be very tender, dying in the single digits. |
RE: Anyone in the USA grow the contorted Camellia?
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| I don't grow it, but it's in Nuccio's catalog, described as "medium upright plant with very unusual zigzag growth pattern. At each leaf, growth proceeds in opposite direction at 45 degree angle. Single, small, deep pink [flowers]. M[edium]." They also sell their own hybrid "Egao Corkscrew," described as an "outstanding mutation from a great camellia, Egao. Not only a distinctive zigzag growth habit which is super for bonsai, but a beautiful flower form as well. Ruffled petals, semi-double to loose peony form. Pink, medium, spreading growth. M." And they're working on (or may have by now - my catalog's a few years old) Shibori Egao Corkscrew. I grow the regular Shibori Egao & can vouch for what a gorgeous plant it is (with regular growth pattern). Once again, for those who don't know: Nuccio's is at 3555 Chaney Trail, Altadena CA 91001, 626/794-3383. No website. During the summer: M-Tu, Fri-Sat 8-4:30 PDT. |
RE: Anyone in the USA grow the contorted Camellia?
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| Massee Lane Gardens, home of the American Camellia Society, in Fort Vally Georgia, has a couple of 'Unryu' plants growing in the garden. |
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