Camellia × williamsii ‘Anticipation’
Choosing a Camellia for a container
Most Camellias are fine for container growing although generally they perform the best if planted in the garden border. One that definitely bucks the trend is the Camellia × williamsii ‘Anticipation’ An absolute treat planted in a pot.
Performance in our Fife garden
Planted in a reasonably large square pot in the Autumn of 2017 the Camellia Williamsii Anticipation in March 2019 is looking terrific. I planted it with a 50/50 mix of top soil and an ericaceous compost.
The first bloom opened in early March and looks set to continue flowering for several weeks yet. Having moved from Cheshire to Fife a couple of years ago I was preparing for some compromise in the garden due to the cooler weather. The garden doesn’t seem to notice it but compared to our southern home the air here is sharper, mind you spending most of our lives in Aberdeen we are well accustomed to the bracing air.
About Camellia x Williamsii Anticipation
In Scotland the Williamsii Camellias are the wisest choice, ideal for our cooler climate. Very often the form Donation comes highly recommended, and sure enough we had it in our Aberdeen garden where it never failed, and we also have it in our Fife garden where it is developing very nicely. (Donation in our Aberdeen garden)
Williamsii? Camellias came about with the crossing of Camellia japonica and Camellia saluenensis. Bred in Cornwall in 1923. For detailed information open the following link about williamsii
Back to Anticipation, the peony shaped rose pink flowers are borne profusely on an evergreen upright compact shrub with dark green leaves. It can grow to a height of about 2 mtrs, however growing in a tub the height can be kept in check without the fear of compromising flowering, further details below.
Anticipation has a very long flowering period. New buds appear in Spring whilst the shrub is in full bloom, in fact flowering from February until early May is not uncommon.
It is essential for Camellias to be grown in ericaceous soil. If planting in a pot use ericaceous compost or a mix of top soil and ericaceous compost.
Feed your Camellia just after flowers have gone over, I like to use a liquid ericaceous fertiliser such as Vitax You can feed once again in mid July, but no later.
Quick details for Camellia Anticipation.
Hardiness
fully hardy in UK
Height
Grows to about 2 mtrs in ten years (can be kept in check)
Pruning
No problem pruning Camellias as long as you do it at the right time. You must prune as soon as flowering has ended this will ensure that your shrub will have plenty blooms next season. Taking a few inches off the top will help to bush up a young spindly plant. Older shrubs can also be pruned at this time of year.
Position
Best in partial shade, actually, our one is in almost full shade and is doing very well. Frustratingly early morning sun can damage the blooms on those frosty mornings if you plant in an East facing position.
Awards
RHS award of garden merit
Soil
Free draining moist loamy soil (acidic)
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March in our garden
The warmer weather in February has resulted in earlier signs of Spring this year. We have four Camellias. The one below Black Lace recently planted may well turn out to be my favourite.
The Williamsii Debbie is another very hardy Camellia, picture taken March 24th. The fourth Camellia Donations, buds are colouring up, should start to open in the next few days.
The Brunnera Macrophylia dawsons white planted in the courtyard area last year. Started to flower very early this year at the end of February.
Skimmia japonica temptation must surely be one of the best self fertile Skimmias. See how fresh the berries still look whilst in Spring flowering period. See plant profile for Skimmia Temptation
In the front garden, the first bloom of Magnolia Stellata has just opened.
Often we see plants referred to as (frost hardy) It doesn’t mean fully hardy. I used to be fooled with this which often led to disappointment. Well, the Daphne odora aureo marginata is one of these frost hardy plants looking wonderful in our front garden which is south-west facing. The plant only has a few flowers, and they are small, as they are meant to be. I am so pleased with this one, it’s a balancing act whether I am showing off at the result or simply pleased.
The latest tree added to our courtyard garden is the Prunus ‘Autumnalis Rosea. I think it is going to look just fine in this position.
Soon find out Diana as my commenting schedule is about to start.
Don’t hold your breath … but my April comment DOES go to my current blog!
Can’t grow camellias here, Alistair, so really enjoyed yours. Your autumn cherry tree is lovely! P. x
I do hope you have success with your Camellia, I can’t get enough of them at the moment.
Your camellias are beautiful! I miss camellias from when I lived further south. I bought one last fall that is supposed to be hardy here, but it is waiting for spring planting in my basement and is currently in bloom there!
Hello Sunil, I was just thinking to myself, I will head over to see what Sunil is up to.I would recommend Skimmia Temptation to any gardener.
Hello Alistair, we’re in full-on Camellia season here in the south too. I don’t know what varieties we have as we inherited ours. It’s good to know about the pruning as ours are so heavy with flowers that they double-over and I get worried that branches might break. I’m very envious of your skimmia and the prunus is delightful. It’s the blush pink on the tips that makes it special.
Camellias have been excellent this year Nadezda.
That is annoying, in general I have been finding several issues with commenting of late, those captcha things are a complete nuisance.
that is a wordpress quirk. I have a dormant blog and an active one. The dormant one is listed first in WP and nothing I can do will convince it to change to the active one. I have tried.
When I login to WP I use my current blog.
Click the comment link, and back to the old one WP goes.
Wonderful plants and flowers, Alistair! I especially love Skimmia japonica and Camellia, as never am able to grow them in my climate. They amaze growing in pots.
I agree with Joy O’Connor– you’re very lucky gardener.
Hello Joy
Complaining about the weather comes naturally to the Scots, saves us moaning about Brexit. I hope things improve at your side soon.
My goodness ! Do you have any idea how lucky you are my friend ? .. what gorgeous plants with stunning flowers.
They would never survive my zone and that makes me sad .. I would love to have them.
We are still LOCKED in winter here .. patches of ice still covering a very dead looking garden .. this has been one of the toughest we have had in years .. so hard to believe that Spring will ever come,
But having your blog to see wonderful plants like this lifts my weary spirits 🙂 Thanks !
Joy
Thanks for commenting on my post Ellen, Aberdeen has indeed been warmer than our East Fife location.
Gorgeous photos alistair. It’s such an exciting time of the year isn’t it! You Do indeed have some fantastic plants in your garden. My husband is in Aberdeen at the mo and the weather looks beautifully sunny, though I know you are further south in Fife. Let’s hope our lovely weather continues! ellen.
Black Lace looks to be a good choice.