Camellia japonica Betty Foy Sanders

Japanese Camellia or Camellia japonica ‘Betty Foy Sanders’ has astonishing, large semi‑double corollas, intensely streaked and splashed with red, enhanced by a centre of golden stamens. With an elegant habit and beautiful evergreen foliage, it structures partially shaded spots where it flowers from the end of winter. This bush can be grown equally well in an acidic soil bed or in a container on a sheltered terrace.

Belonging to the Theaceae family, the wild Camellia japonica species (syn. Thea japonica) is native to the acidic, damp undergrowth of Japan, Korea, and eastern China.
The ‘Betty Foy Sanders’ cultivar is a sowing selected in Statesboro, Georgia (USA), by Fred H. Smith; it first flowered in 1959 and was registered in 1966. It was named for Betty Foy Sanders, the wife of Governor Carl Sanders. The bush has a naturally upright, fairly dense habit as it matures, and moderate growth; in open ground, it reaches 1 m in height with an 80 cm spread at 10 years old. Ultimately up to 2.50 m or 3 m tall with a 1.80 m to 2.20 m spread. Grown in a container, it remains more compact, around 1.50 m to 2 m, depending on the container volume. The foliage is evergreen, leathery and glossy. The elliptical to ovate leaves measure 6 to 10 cm long, and they are finely toothed, of a deep, rich green. 
The flowering is the major asset of this cultivar: from February to April (sometimes from January in a mild climate), large semi‑double flowers open in the shape of a flared trumpet, 10 to 15 cm in diameter. The white petals are randomly and intensely marbled, streaked and speckled with cherry red to deep pink, and reveal a cluster of yellow stamens with whitish filaments.

Camellia ‘Betty Foy Sanders’ requires a humus-bearing, moist, but well-drained substrate, without lime. The ideal exposure is dappled shade or gentle sun, sheltered from cold winds and morning winter sun. The hardiness, good once the plant is established, is around −15 °C, occasionally −17 °C with protection at the base.
Plant Camellia Betty Foy Sanders near a pathway or window to enjoy its early flowering and elegant foliage. Position it at the edge of woodland or in an ericaceous soil bed, against a backdrop of evergreen ferns and other evergreen shrubs. It pairs very well with Pieris 'Flaming Silver', or winter-flowering Sarcococca hookeriana 'Purple Gem'. Combine it with other camellias with complementary flowering times: for example Camellia × williamsii ‘Donation’ (earlier and very floriferous), 'Blood of China' (red, double) or 'Paddy's Perfumed' (very fragrant, candy pink). To grow in a container, choose a wide and deep pot (at least 40 cm).