- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Camellia 'Wirlinga Bride' is a miniature flowered hybrid camellia raised in Australia by Professor E. G. Waterhouse, and it is often sold under the Camellia japonica name. Small single white blooms, lightly flushed pink around a boss of gold stamens, hang along slender arching stems clothed in fine glossy foliage.
Give it filtered light, or morning sun with afternoon shade, in a friable, well drained, slightly acidic soil with mulch over the root zone. It grows 20 to 50 centimetres a year into a graceful open shrub. Light to moderate frost is no trouble once established, across cool temperate and warm temperate zones.
The weeping habit suits a raised bed, the top of a retaining wall, a large urn, or a position beside a path where the arching stems can spill over. It also trains well against a shaded wall. Where a standard camellia reads heavy, this one keeps a planting light and informal.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Camellia 'Wirlinga Bride'
What is Camellia 'Wirlinga Bride'?
'Wirlinga Bride' is a miniature flowered hybrid camellia bred in Australia by Professor E. G. Waterhouse, from Camellia rosiflora crossed with a williamsii hybrid. It is often sold under the japonica name, but its small single white blooms flushed pink, and its arching, almost weeping stems, set it clearly apart.
How big does Camellia 'Wirlinga Bride' grow?
About 1.5 to 2 metres tall with a similar spread, forming an open, gracefully arching shrub rather than a solid upright one. Growth is 20 to 50 centimetres a year. Given room, the outer stems bend outwards and downwards, so allow more width than you would for a standard japonica.
Is it evergreen or deciduous?
Evergreen. The fine, small, glossy leaves stay on the plant year round, giving a lighter and more delicate texture than the broad foliage of a typical japonica. Leaves are held right through winter while the plant is flowering, so it works as an all seasons shrub rather than a seasonal one.
When does Camellia 'Wirlinga Bride' flower?
Winter into spring, generally July to October, with the small blooms strung along the length of the arching stems. Each flower is short lived but they open in succession over many weeks. In milder coastal gardens the first buds can open in late June. The display suits close viewing beside a path.
Does it need sun or shade?
Filtered light, or morning sun with afternoon shade, gives the best flowering and keeps the fine foliage from burning. It will take more sun in cool districts than in hot inland ones. A position under high tree canopy, on the eastern side of a building, or against a shaded wall works well.
Can it be grown in pots?
Yes, and the weeping habit shows off well in a raised container or a large urn where the stems can hang over the rim. Use a pot at least 40 to 50 centimetres wide with a free draining camellia mix. Water consistently, feed after flowering, and keep it out of hot afternoon sun.
How do I care for Camellia 'Wirlinga Bride'?
Very little is needed. Mulch the root zone, water through dry weather, and apply a camellia and azalea fertiliser once flowering ends. Prune only to remove damaged wood or to lift the skirt clear of a path, because heavy pruning destroys the natural arching form that makes the plant worth growing.
