Camellia japonica Janet Waterhouse

The Camellia japonica 'Janet Waterhouse' is a late-flowering white camellia of fine appearance, charming as much for its pure white double flowers as for its handsome dark, glossy foliage. When fully open, they reveal a heart of yellow stamens. This cultivar, with an upright habit, is suitable for use as a specimen, in an informal hedge, or in a container on a sheltered terrace. Its flowering period is rather spring-like.

Belonging to the Theaceae family, 'Janet Waterhouse' originates from the species Camellia japonica. This cultivar is of Australian origin: it was selected and named by E. G. Waterhouse in 1952 in New South Wales. It pays tribute to Janet Waterhouse, the breeder's wife. The botanical species C. japonica is native to the Far East (acidic, moist woodland understories in Japan, Korea, and eastern China).

The 'Janet Waterhouse' cultivar exhibits an upright, bushy habit, slow to moderate growth, and ultimately reaches 2 to 3m in height with a spread of 1.50 to 2.50m in open ground; in a pot, it remains more compact (often 1.50 to 2m). At 10 years old, it commonly measures 1.30m high by 1m wide. The bush does not produce suckers. The flowers measure 8 to 10cm in diameter. The white petals, thickened and slightly imbricate, first open around a large central cone; as they mature, the centre loosens and the petals open into a crown around a clearly visible bunch of golden stamens. The flowering period extends from March to May in an oceanic climate. The foliage is evergreen in winter, with a leathery texture. The leaf is ovate to elliptical, finely dentate at the margin, glossy, and of a very dark green. The root system is shallow and very fibrous, sensitive to drought and lime.

Plant the Japanese camellia 'Janet Waterhouse' in bright partial shade, sheltered from cold winds and the burning afternoon sun. Provide it with an acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5), humus-bearing, well-drained, and remaining cool in summer. In a light woodland border, pair it with the Japanese azalea 'Kirin' (light pink flowering in March-April), the Skimmia 'Kew Green' (fragrant cream umbels in March-April) and the Pieris japonica 'Little Heath' (white bell-shaped flowers, variegated foliage). Add some Heucheras to create a carpet of evergreen foliage and a Hosta 'Halcyon' to add a touch of blue. Among Japanese camellias that flower during the same period, consider for example the varieties 'Debutante' and 'Kramer’s Supreme'.

E. G. Waterhouse, a linguist and leading camellia specialist, greatly contributed to the revival of the genus in 20th-century Australia; several public gardens, including the E. G. Waterhouse National Camellia Gardens near Sydney, preserve his introductions and collections.