Pink and white flowers Camellia japonica 'Margaret Davis

Credit: HQ Flower guide

Double camelia 'Amragaret Davis' flowers

Credit: Leonora (Ellie) Enking

Flowers Camellia japonica 'Margaret Davis

Credit: HQ Flower Guide

Camellia japonica 'Margaret Davis', a camellia with white flowers edged in pink

If some of us wonder who Lady Vansittart was, the mysterious woman who inspired the Camellia of the same name, there's no doubt about the muse of Camellia japonica 'Margaret Davis'. This variety of Japanese Camellia, with its white flowers hemmed in pink, pays tribute to the famous American biologist.

How to recognize Camellia japonica 'Margaret Davis'?

Camellia japonica 'Margaret Davis' is an upright, branched shrub. When fully grown, the plant can reach 1.5 meters in height and one meter in width.

The dense foliage consists of oval, pointed, leathery evergreen leaves, eight to ten centimetres long. They have a finely toothed margin and a glossy, dark-green upper surface.

The peony-shaped flowers measure eight to ten centimetres in diameter. These double flowers have opalescent white petals with edges delicately tinged with bright pink. In the center, the yellow pistil is barely visible amidst the overlapping petals. As with camellia 'Nuccio's Pearl flowering takes place from February to April.

Fruits are dry capsules containing seeds. Once ripe, they can be harvested and sown to propagate the plant.

Camellia japonica 'Margaret Davis' is not toxic to pets or humans.

Our maintenance tips

Margaret Davis' Camellias are not difficult plants to care for. But they hate limestone. You need to provide them with acid soil and water them with rainwater.

Watering

Margaret Davis' Camellias can withstand neither drought nor excess water.

Before watering, check the condition of the potting soil. The surface must be at least one centimeter dry.

Repotting

Get a pierced pot that's wider than it is tall. Roots tend to spread out rather than grow deep. Fill the bottom with clay balls to optimize drainage.

Margaret Davis' Camellias grow in acid soils. Prepare a mixture containing 50% heather earth and 50% universal potting soil. Pour on a layer and plant your subject. Fill in with your substrate and press down.

Water with rainwater to expel air bubbles and encourage rooting.

Fertilization

To promote the growth of your Camellia japonica 'Margaret Davis', apply fertilizer in spring and summer.

Fertilize with a fertilizer for acid-loving plants. You can choose a hydrangea or bougainvillea fertilizer, for example.

Prune

Remove wilted flowers that don't fall off by themselves.

You don't have to prune your camellia 'Margaret Davis. However, it may be beneficial to cut back dry twigs. You can also cut back branches by about ten centimetres after flowering to force the plant to branch out.

Always use a clean, sharp tool to promote healing and prevent disease.

Plantation

When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.

Choose a shady or semi-shadylocation, away from other plantings. Indeed, margaret Davis' Camellias have shallow roots and can't stand competition from other species. You can, however, plant several varieties side by side to form a hedge.

Soak the root ball in rainwater. Meanwhile, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball.

Margaret Davis' Camellias require acid soil. If your soil is acidic, plant the plant and fill in with garden soil.

If your soil is chalky, sandy or basic, place a geothermal felt at the bottom of your hole. Mix equal parts heather soil and universal potting soil. Pour in a layer of substrate, then plant your shrub. Fill in with your mixture.

Mulch to keep the soil cool and protect the roots from the cold. You can use pine bark, for example, which will add acidity as it decomposes.

Water generously with recuperated rainwater to facilitate rooting.

Cutting

Take a lignified branch about fifteen centimeters long. Remove the flowers and keep only the top pair of leaves.

Prune the tip of your cutting to encourage roots to appear. Using a clean knife, bevel the end of the branch and remove about two centimetres of bark.

You can dip the tip in cutting hormone.

Obtain a perforated pot. Fill it with a mixture of potting soil, sand and heather. Make a pilot hole and plant your cutting.

Cutting is done in a smothered state. Place your cutting in a mini greenhouse or transparent box. You can also cover it with a translucent plastic bag.

Spray the leaves and substrate to maintain a moist atmosphere, and aerate for a few minutes each day.

Keep your cutting indoors, in a bright, heated room.

Diseases / Threats

Aphids

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Theaceae - Theaceae
Type	Camellia - Camellia
Species	Japanese Camellia - Camellia japonica
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposures	Half-shade Shade
Substrats	Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots In tubs
Categories	Shrub Flowery
Tags	Beginner Flowery Rustic Soiffarde
Origin	Southeast Asia
Hardiness (USDA)	7b
Leaf color
Flower colors
Fruit color