Camellia japonica Nuccio's Gem

Camellia japonica Nuccio's Gem is a variety of Japanese Camellia with meticulously beautiful flowers. The medium-sized is adorned with beautiful dark green evergreen foliage that provides a perfect backdrop for the immaculate white flowers. From February to April, large rose-shaped flowers bloom, illuminating the garden with their pure whiteness. The bush forms a dense, medium-sized clump and thrives in moist, humus-bearing soil, with a tendency towards acidity, in an oceanic to moderately temperate climate. It can also be grown in a container on a shaded terrace.

The Camellia belongs to the Theaceae family, which takes its name from the Tea plant, or Camellia sinensis, a species of great economic importance worldwide. This small botanical family includes about 500 species distributed among 10 to 20 genera, of which Camellia is the most well-known, with a few others like Stewartia or Gordonia being appreciated by collectors. Camellia japonica is native to Japan (central and southern) and Korea and it can grow into a tree 7 to 10 metres tall, but it usually remains in the shrub stage. This evergreen species was very popular in the 19th century and has given us many horticultural varieties that are still appreciated today.
'Nuccio's Gem' is a Californian creation from the Nuccio nurseries, introduced to the market in 1965 and still fascinates with the stylistic perfection of its flowers. At maturity, this Camellia forms a clump that is 1.80 to 2 metres tall, or even taller, and 1.20 to 1.50 metres wide. It naturally takes on a dense habit, with dark green evergreen foliage that is glossy on the upper surface of the leaves. These leaves are oval to lanceolate in shape and generally measure 6 to 8 cm long. Their dark vegetation is ideal for highlighting the clear flowering that appears from February to April. The very double flowers measure 10 cm or more in diameter and are formed by dozens of carefully imbricated petals, which create a regular geometric rosette. These immaculate white corollas are of rare beauty and stand out distinctly against the dark background of the foliage, creating a striking contrast.

Plant Camellia japonica Nuccio's Gem in ericaceous soil and a semi-shaded position, protected from strong winds. Its early flowers will perfectly complement that of Magnolia Black Tulip, with its large purple-violet flowers in March and April. A few clumps of black Oriental Hellebore planted at the base of your Camellia will also create a magnificent contrast, as the almost black flowers of this early perennial will look good with the pure white of Nuccio's Gem. Also, consider using decorative barks and foliage to animate your spring bed. Japanese Maples will help you with varieties like Acer shirazawanum Jordan, which surprises with its lemon-yellow palmate foliage in spring, evolving to anise green, then completely green in summer before blazing with red and yellow in autumn. Even more astonishing, the Bi Hoo Japanese Maple, with its spring foliage turning from green to reddish-orange in autumn, is especially distinguished by the incredible yellow-orange to salmon colour of its bark, which is attractive in winter when the leaves have fallen.