Camellia japonica Bonomiana

Camellia 'Bonomiana' is a variety of Japanese camellia dating back to the 19th century with stunning bicoloured flowers. Medium-sized, double and perfectly formed, they resemble variegated roses with streak of bright carmine pink on a background of white to pale pink. They bloom in late winter, quite late for a Japanese camellia, on a beautiful and rather rounded and dense bush, which keeps its large dark green leaves even in winter. Its moderate growth allows it to fit in gardens of all sizes, and to stand out in a large pot prominently placed on a terrace or balcony. It is a graceful and elegant plant that deserves to be planted near the house.

Camellia 'Bonomiana', introduced in Italy around 1858, belongs to the family of Theaceae, just like its ancestor the Camellia japonica. It is a bushy, slightly rounded and upright shrub, which will reach approximately 1.25 m (4 ft) in height and 90 cm (35 in) in spread at 10 years old. At maturity, after 15 to 20 years, it can measure on average 1.50 m (5 ft) in height by 1.20 m (4 ft) in width, depending on the growing conditions. From February-March to April, it produces very large rounded flower buds. They open into 7.5 cm (3 in) diameter flowers, perfectly formed, composed of 80 wide and rounded petals surrounding a central cone of small overlapping petals. Each flower is different, but they are all finely streaked with carmine pink on a pure white or pale pink background. The evergreen foliage is composed of large elliptical leaves, 10 cm (4 in) long by 5 cm (2 in) wide, leathery, finely toothed along the edges, dark green and glossy on the upper side. While this shrub is hardy down to -15°C in the ground, its flower buds can be destroyed by snow, icy winds, and temperatures below -5°C (23 °F).

'Bonomiana' Japanese Camellia prefers mild and humid climates and thrives in coastal regions, and suits acidic, humus-rich, well-drained soil. It will tolerate full, not-too-strong sun in favourable climates, but it will give its best in partial or even full shade, protected from intense sunlight and sheltered from strong winds. In the garden you might plant it in a shrub bed, along with other acid-loving plants like Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Cornus Kousa, or even Kalmia Latifolia. However, it would be a shame to drown this magnificent variety in a tangle of foliage or flowers. It deserves a special place, near the entrance of the house, or in a beautiful pot on a terrace, to be stored indoors in very cold climates during winter.