Camellia sasanqua 'Strawberry Swirl'

Common name: camellia

Description: A beautiful autumn and winter-flowering camellia, bearing single, softly ruffled blooms in a swirl of strawberry pink and white with a bright golden centre from late October through into December, when little else is in flower. The glossy, dark evergreen foliage provides a striking backdrop to the blooms and continues to offer structure for the rest of the year.

Other benefits: long autumn/winter flowering season, good for containers, walls and woodland borders, evergreen structure

Wildlife attraction: bees

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 1.5m x 1m

Position: partial shade, sheltered from early morning sun and cold winds

Soil pH: acid; ericaceous compost recommended for containers

Moisture: moist but well-drained; avoid drying out, particularly when in bud

Winter hardiness: fully hardy, hardier than most sasanqua camellias