Camellia japonica Kerguelen

Camellia 'Kerguelen' is a variety of Japanese camellia that is decorative all year round, with its evergreen dark green foliage variegated with tender green and cream-white silver, and its remarkable spring flowering in a beautiful shade of pink. Its large rose-like flowers, with overlapping petals, bloom against the backdrop of the foliage in early spring. Its moderate growth, free habit, and refined colour allow it to be grown in a large pot on a terrace or balcony for many years, bringing great charm to its surroundings.

The 'Kerguelen' Camellia is a variegated leaf mutation of the Nuccio's Cameo cultivar, obtained in France by Sterviniou nurseries. It was awarded a Silver Medal in 2009 at Innovert in France, Second Prize at the Rustica flower competition, and a Bronze Medal at the Plantarium in Boskoop, the Netherlands. This bush belongs to the family of Theaceae (tea) plants, like its ancestor, the Japanese Camellia.

'Kerguelen' has a rather upright, bushy habit without stiffness, and a small size. It will reach approximately 1.20 m (4 ft) in all directions within 10 years. At maturity, after 15 to 20 years, it can reach over 1.50 m in height and 1.20 m (4 ft) in width, under good growing conditions. From February to April, depending on the climate, it displays an abundance of double flowers, quite large, 7-8cm (3 in) in diameter, with perfectly-organised petals in a bright pink colour. Its evergreen foliage consists of large elliptical leaves, 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3 in) long, leathery, randomly bordered in shades of cream, silver, or tender green around a central area of darker green. This variegation is stable over time, meaning the bush will not revert to branches with uniformly green leaves. While this bush is hardy down to -12°C in the ground once well-established, its flowering may be compromised by snow, freezing wind, and temperatures below -5°C (23 °F). Note that this variety is less susceptible to diseases that usually affect Japanese camellias.

Plant the 'Kerguelen' Camellia in ericaceous soil alongside bushes that thrive in similar conditions, such as Japanese or Chinese Azaleas, Rhododendrons, skimmia, Kalmia Latifolia, and heathers. Consider planting some spring bulbs at its base: tulips and daffodils for a magnificent, colourful scene. Its compact size also allows it to be grown in a pot, which it tolerates perfectly if it is not lacking in water or nutrients. Plant on a partially shaded terrace, along a wall, protected from cold and drying winds. 

The name Camellia was given to the plant in 1735 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Von Linne, in honor of Georg Josef Kamel (Latinized as "Camellus"), an apothecary in the service of the Jesuits in the Philippines in the late 17th century. It wasn't until 1792 that the Camellia arrived in Europe.