Camellia, Latin name Camellia, is an evergreen flowering plant from the Theaceae family, characterized by shrubby or tree-like growth. The majority of them originate from Southeast Asia, China and Japan, where they grow as indigenous plants. The flowers can be white, pink or red, measuring up to 6 cm, but can be larger depending on the species, with a yellow stamen in the center or without it, varying based on the type of camellia. The most numerous are the Japanese camellias, while the plant used for tea production is called Camellia sinensis. It is presumed that their origins trace back to Tibet, extending down to the southern regions of China. In recent centuries, they have also been cultivated in Europe due to the consistent demand for aromatic tea, specifically because of the beneficial effects of green tea on health. There is also a species called Camellia sasanqua, which blooms in early autumn. Many hybrids are created each year as experts crossbreed various species, resulting in a diverse range of camellias whose blooms can be enjoyed throughout the year. The majority of new hybrids are created in the United States and China.
The camellia tree can grow up to 10 meters in height. The root system of the camellia is shallow and extensively branched. The leaves are green, varying in shade from darker to lighter hues. They can be round, pointed or have flatter shapes, depending on the species. Camellias require quality care, including regular fertilization, acidic soil, good moisture drainage (such as rain or snow), ambient humidity, partial shade, and they do not tolerate prolonged exposure to strong midday sun, let alone harsh winds like the bura or cold winds.
Camellias were named after the botanist and pharmacist George Joseph Kamel, who introduced them to Europe. George Joseph Kamel was born in Brno, in the present-day Czech Republic, and he passed away in Manila, Philippines, in 1706 at the age of 45. He spent the majority of his short life dedicated to exploration and research.
Camellia became and remains part of the royal heritage in many European countries, still holding a prestigious place to this day.
Camellia japonica Rubra Simplex
The beauty of the red flowers of this camellia species lies in the simplicity of their arrangement – the floral cluster consists of five to seven petals, and it gains its special charm from the prominently yellow raised stamens. The plant blooms from mid-winter to mid-spring. This camellia holds a special story for Opatija. Iginio Scarpa (1794–1866), a wealthy businessman from Trieste-Rijeka in his time, was an ancestor of Opatija on his maternal side. After prematurely losing his beloved wife Angiolina Sartorio (1801–1832), in her memory, Iginio Scarpa built a summer residence known today as Villa Angiolina. He also purchased surrounding land from Opatija villagers and systematically began landscaping the area, creating the magnificent park that still bears the name Park Angiolina. The story goes that his brother-in-law, Giovanni G. Sartorio, brought the first camellia plant from the Pillnitz Castle Park near Dresden in 1845 and gifted it to Iginio. He planted it near the villa in honor of his late wife, Angiolina. Rubra Simplex from Pillnitz can be seen on the Pillnitz Park website. It is at least 246 years old, approximately 8.9 meters tall, with a diameter of nearly 14 meters and a circumference of about 32 meters. During its flowering period, it bears approximately 35,000 flowers. Considering the climate in that part of Europe, it was always protected during winter with straw and wooden coverings. Nowadays, it has a movable glass dome for protection.
The Opatija camellia japonica Rubra Simplex is considered one of the symbols of Opatija for the Camellia Lovers Association. It is located in Angiolina Park and many gardens throughout Opatija.
Camellia japonica Desire
In the American Camellia Yearbook from 1977, on page 209, registry number 144 states that this camellia was created by David Feathers from Lafayette, California, and first bloomed in 1973. It is medium-sized, white-pink, edged with a deeper pink color and double-formed. The flower consists of 60 petals, measuring 10 to 10.5 centimeters in diameter and 5 centimeters in depth. The flower remains on the shrub for a long time. The plant growth is upright, dense, with dark green leaves that are approximately 8.5 cm long and 5 cm wide. This type of camellia is resistant to cold temperatures down to approximately -10 or -15 degrees Celsius. The plant was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 2002. It is cultivated in private gardens in Opatija.
Camellia japonica Alba Plena
This cultivar was brought to England from China in 1792 by Captain John Corner on the ship Carnatic, owned by the East India Company. The native region of this plant is the Chinese province of Guangdong, and it is considerably older than the modern metropolis of Shenzhen in Guangdong. It was imported to America around 1800, specifically in New Jersey. It has a beautiful white flower that in the 19th century became a symbol of female excellence and women’s suffrage. The flower is symmetrically double-formed, medium to large-sized, with a diameter of 10 cm and a depth of 3.5 cm. The petals decrease in size proportionally towards the center. The plant has a medium height and bright green leaves. It can also be found in the Opatija Park and private gardens.
Antonija Cvetković, president of the Camellia
Lovers Association“Iginio Scarpa”, Opatija
