"Baby blooms"

Miniature-flowered camellias are a delightful addition to the winter garden.
Sunday, 31 July 2022     

Camellia hybrid Blondy

The gorgeous baby blooms of miniature-flowered camellias are just emerging in gardens now, a delightful addition to the winter scene in Sydney. Totally different to their large and flamboyant cousins the japonica camellias, the miniatures have great appeal, with their massed profusion of dainty blooms. When the shrub is in full bloom, smothered in flowers, it is a sight to help shrug off the winter blues and to remind us of what a benign climate we really do live in, despite the bleakness of the current weather.

The little blooms almost have the appearance of fruit blossoms, and unlike most winter-flowering camellias, some of them are delightfully scented. They fit in well with other garden plants, particularly in a cottage garden-style or woodland setting. When the flowers fall from the shrub, they form a pretty carpet around its base. They can look very pretty floating in a bowl or a birdbath. Although the flowers may be small, the shrubs are generally not dwarf and will reach heights of 3-4 m or more, although their form is probably on the whole less ponderous and dense than japonica camellias, and they can be pruned to keep their height lower if desired. They have smaller leaves and more open growth, with elegant arching stems - which makes them suitable for espaliering on fences or walls.

There are species of these shrubs, as well as a number resulting from hybrid crosses. Species include Camellia rosiflora (semi-double rose pink flowers), Camellia lutchuensis (fragrant white single flowers, held on willowy stems) and Camellia tsaii (subtly fragrant white flowers with a pink touch on the outer petals). Some favourite hybrids include 'Wirlinga Princess' (pale pink single to semi-double flowers with a touch of deeper pink), 'Fragrant Pink' (deep pink informal double with Osmanthus-like fragrance), 'Cinnamon Cindy' (upright shrub, white informal blooms with a touch of pale pink, cinnamon scent), 'Alpen Glo' (pale pink single to semi-double with bright pink edges), 'Blondy' (fragrant white anemone form opening from pale pink buds) and 'Gay Baby' (cerise-pink semi-double). 'Baby Bear' is a cute low-growing shrub to 1 m with tiny light pink single blooms, being ideal for small gardens where there is no space for any of the larger camellias and suitable for a tub.

Like most Camellia, these miniatures generally need to be grown in partial or dappled shade (though a few are more sun hardy) and they flourish best in a free-draining, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6) which is rich in humus. They like moisture in spring and summer but hate sodden soil, which can rot their roots, so they must have good drainage. Many gardeners believe that fertilising these plants with a specific camellia food is very beneficial, and this is best applied in early spring and again in summer. A water-soluble fertiliser can also be given every month or couple of months from early spring til early autumn. They do need regular watering in their early years; once established they become fairly tough. They do like some extra moisture at flowering time. A shallow mulch of compost or cow manure applied in early spring will protect the roots from summer heat, as well as slowing evaporation of water from the soil and providing humus and some nutrients.

Some companion plants for the miniature-flowered camellias, in bloom at the same time in a similar colour range, include snowflakes, violets, hellebores, Crassula multicava, Ruellia makoyana or even some of the shade-tolerant winter-blooming Salvia, such as S. dorisiana.

Blog first posted 17 July 2011; updated 31 July 2022.


 Reader Comments

1/9  Maureen - 2118 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Monday, 18 July 2011

Only discovered miniature camellias via the Camellia show at Gordon. I loved BOKUHAN - amongst others!! Thanks once again.

I heard that the show was very good so hope to get to it next year. I love all the miniatures. Deirdre


2/9  Dorothy - 4060 (Zone:11A - Sub-tropical) Monday, 18 July 2011

Hello Deirdre, I didnt know these existed - they are beautiful - hope I will be able to grow them in Qld. Kind regards, Dorothy

They should grow if you can grow other camellias. Check with your local nursery. Deirdre


3/9  Gillian - 2119 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Tuesday, 19 July 2011

Thank you Deirdre, absolutely love the miniature camellias and have several in my garden. I purchased 2 at the camellia show at Ravenswood to put in tubs either side of the back entrance, a hybrid variety named Sweet Jane its claimed to be the longest flowering from autumn to spring.

Thanks. Gillian. That sounds a great one to have! I definitely want to go to the camellia show next year. Deirdre


4/9  Margaret - 2122 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Monday, 01 August 2022

The miniature camellias look absolutely delightful. I don't grow any, but they certainly add character to the garden, as, I believe all miniature plants do. Thank you for presenting them to us. They are very cute! Deirdre


5/9  Pam - 2159 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Monday, 01 August 2022

The Camellia Show at Gordon was held in July, but camellias are flowering in gardens now. There is a section in the show for Miniature camellias, and also one for Sprays, and it is great to be able to compare them. I have several Spray types my garden, and they have such a long flowering period, a couple of months, from masses of buds. 'Wirlinga Princess', 'Fairy Blush' and 'Our Melissa' are favourites. I confess I don't know how to distinguish between the Miniatures and the Spray types! I love those ones you've mentioned. Deirdre


6/9  Sue - 2074 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Monday, 01 August 2022

Really like the miniature camellias and the way some flowers cover the whole stem like my Wirlinga Bride which is white - may have to get the Princess as it's very pretty. I have Gay Baby which fills in beautifully after the Sasanquas nearby have finished flowering and Cinnamon Cindy whose perfume is lovely. I tried to buy another one but it was nowhere to be found. Mine is years old - pity some plants drop off the plant lists. Yes it is a shame that many of these aren't readily available these days. Yours sound great! Deirdre


7/9  Jean - 4035 (Zone:11A - Sub-tropical) Monday, 01 August 2022

Yes Deidre love these little beauties even though I dont have any. I have 3 shrubs in glorious bloom which flower a month apart, white, light pink and deep pink. The deep pink has A bud above each flower that opens up into a mini flower- totally divine. They last forever in a vase! They sound fab! Deirdre


8/9  Kerrie - 2104 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Monday, 01 August 2022

These look very interesting & lovely. Deirdre how big does the actual shrub get? Generally about 3 m except for the true dwarf ones like Baby Bear. Deirdre


9/9  Janet - 2322 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Monday, 01 August 2022

Hello Deirdre, I have the most beautiful miniature Camellia called Mandy it is about 10yrs old and appx. 3mtrs high, it is covered in pretty pale pink blooms that look almost like porcelain it's branches weep gracefully and the carpet of flowers below are stunning. Unfortunately it is no longer available in the nurseries, I have tried pot up some cuttings with no success if anyone knows how to do this I would love to know. Thanks for another great blog. Mandy sounds a gorgeous one. I have heard that December/January is a good time to propagate camellias. It seems a funny time of year but I had success with daphne cuttings taken at that time so maybe worth a try? Deirdre


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