Exploring The Fragrance Of Camellia Japonica Blossoms

Camellias are cherished for their magnificent flowers and evergreen foliage. However, most camellia blooms bear no scent. While some fragrant species exist, they often lack desirable features such as size, colour, and flower form. The Camellia japonica 'High Fragrance' is one of the few cultivars with a noticeable scent, described as similar to roses, peonies, or jasmine. It bears ivory pink flowers with deeper pink edges and dark green foliage. Other scented cultivars include 'Herme', 'Kramer’s Supreme', 'Scentsation', and 'Spring Sonnet'.

Cultivars with Fragrant or Scent in their name

While the luscious blooms of most camellia species bear no scent, there are some cultivars of Camellia japonica that claim to have fragrance. These include cultivars with "Fragrant" or "Scent" in their names, such as:

Camellia japonica 'Fragrant Rose'

This cultivar is known for its fragrant, rose-like flowers, which are a beautiful pale pink colour. The flowers are semi-double and have a delicate, sweet fragrance. The plant grows to a height of around 6-8 feet, making it a stunning addition to any garden.

Camellia japonica 'Fragrant Snow'

A beautiful cultivar with pure white, fragrant flowers that bloom in late winter to early spring. The flowers are double-petalled and stand out against the glossy, green foliage. This cultivar is also known for its exceptional cold hardiness, making it a popular choice for gardens in colder climates.

Camellia japonica 'Fragrant Water'

This cultivar is known for its unique, water-like fragrance. The flowers are a soft shade of shell pink, with a hint of fragrance that is both subtle and refreshing. 'Fragrant Water' is a vigorous grower, with an upright, open habit, reaching a height of 8-12 feet.

Camellia japonica 'Scents of the Past'

A charming cultivar with a strong, sweet fragrance that evokes a sense of nostalgia. The flowers are a delicate silvery-pink, with a compact growth habit. 'Scents of the Past' has won awards for its beauty and fragrance, including the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Camellia japonica 'Herme'

While most camellia flowers bear no scent, there are a few species that do have a fragrance, and among these fragrant species are several cultivars of Camellia japonica that claim to have a fragrance, including 'Herme', 'Kramer's Supreme', 'Scentsation', and 'Spring Sonnet'.

'Herme' means "brilliant gem" in Japanese and is one of the more elegant cultivars of the species, originating in Japan in 1859 and brought to America in 1875. It is one of the four original Camellia plants brought into America by Andre Michaux, chief gardener of King Louis XVI of France, and given to his friend Henry Middleton, who served as president of the Continental Congress. One of these original plants is still alive at Middleton Gardens just outside of Charleston, South Carolina.

Camellia japonica 'Kramer's Supreme'

Kramer's Supreme Camellia

Kramer's Supreme is a vigorous and resilient plant, growing slowly to a mature height of 6 to 10 feet and a width of 6 to 8 feet. It thrives in well-drained, acidic, and loamy soil, and prefers partial shade, making it ideal for planting in sheltered areas with dappled sunlight. While it requires regular watering during the first year to establish a strong root system, once mature, it can be quite drought-resistant and will grow well with low supplemental water.

This camellia variety is a great choice for accent plants, privacy screens, borders, or groups, and is suitable for hardiness zones 7 to 9. It is also deer-resistant and can be pruned to maintain the desired size. The bloom time is during the winter and spring months, making it a welcome source of colour and fragrance during the colder seasons.

Camellia japonica 'Scentsation'

The Camellia japonica is a species of camellia that counts over 30,000 cultivars with a wide array of flower forms and colours. While the luscious blooms of most camellias bear no scent, there are a few cultivars that do have a fragrance. One of these is the award-winning 'Scentsation' cultivar, which showcases large, silvery-pink, peony-form flowers measuring 4-5 inches (10-12 cm) wide.

The 'Scentsation' cultivar is a scented and compact shrub that grows at a medium rate to a height of 8-12 ft. tall (240-360 cm) and a width of 6-10 ft. (180-300 cm). It produces blossoms with golden stamens that open over several months in mid-season (January to March in the Northern Hemisphere; June to August in the Southern Hemisphere). The shrub has lustrous foliage of glossy dark green leaves that are evergreen and ornamental year-round.

The 'Scentsation' cultivar is best grown in consistently moist, acidic, organically rich, and well-drained soils. The plant should be sheltered from cold, dry winds, as buds and flowers may be damaged. It should also be protected from the early morning sun and the direct hot summer afternoon sun. The 'Scentsation' camellia can be attacked by aphids, scale insects, and vine weevil.

The 'Scentsation' cultivar is perfect as a specimen plant and may be effectively grown in tubs or large containers. It can also be massed in mixed shrub borders for dramatic winter blooms and is a great flowering shrub for woodland gardens or as a screen and hedge. Pruning after flowering is recommended to thin branching and control size and shape.

Camellia japonica 'Spring Sonnet'

The Camellia japonica 'Spring Sonnet' is a celebrated variety of camellia, known for its vigorous growth and stunning display of blooms. This camellia variety is adorned with medium-sized, pale pink, semi-double to loose peony-form flowers that measure about 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) wide. The petals feature irregular mauve-pink edges, adding a touch of elegance to the overall appearance.

'Spring Sonnet' is a prolific bloomer, gracing gardens with its beautiful flowers for several months during the mid-season. Its flowering period typically falls between late winter and early spring, depending on the climate. During this time, 'Spring Sonnet' creates a magnificent spectacle, with its lush blooms attracting the attention of anyone nearby.

While most camellia varieties are prized for their striking visual appeal, some, like 'Spring Sonnet', also offer a delightful fragrance. This particular cultivar is renowned for its scent, which is a rare trait among camellias. The fragrance of 'Spring Sonnet' adds another layer of allure to its already impressive display of colour and form.

In terms of size, 'Spring Sonnet' can grow to impressive proportions, reaching heights of up to 15 feet (4.6 meters) and widths of 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 meters). Its lustrous, glossy dark green foliage remains evergreen, providing year-round ornamental value even when the plant is not in bloom.

To thrive, 'Spring Sonnet' prefers slightly acidic soil conditions and partial shade or filtered sun. It is well-suited to USDA hardiness zones 7 to 9 and can be grown in various garden styles, including cottage gardens, cut flower gardens, and shade gardens. With its profuse blooms and fragrant allure, 'Spring Sonnet' is a wonderful addition to any garden, bringing beauty and scent to the landscape.

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