Camellia Inspiration
Camellia Inspiration
Camellia reticulata × saluenensis 'Inspiration'
Lovely plant, this camellia full of beautiful promises, watered while waiting to be planted. Thank you to the team.
Nath44, 03/04/2026
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Description
Camellia ‘Inspiration’ has charming, large semi-double, deep pink corollas, set off by its beautiful, glossy green, evergreen foliage. It is a large shrub for acid soil that excels in the garden, in an informal hedge or as a standalone specimen. It is capable of flowering all winter in a favourable climate. A vigorous, robust camelia, hardy down to -15°C.
Belonging to the Theaceae family, ‘Inspiration’ is a hybrid between Camellia reticulata (a species from the mountains of Yunnan, China) and C. saluenensis (originating from the massifs between the Salween and Shweli valleys, Yunnan). It is sometimes listed under the synonym Camellia × williamsii ‘Inspiration’. This cultivar was obtained at Exbury Gardens (Hampshire, United Kingdom) and received the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1984. Through lineage, it inherits the large flowers of C. reticulata and the good floral hardiness of C. saluenensis.
'Inspiration' is a dense and upright shrub with fairly regular branching. It grows quite quickly for a camellia. At 10 years old, it measures 1.20 m tall by 70 cm wide. In the ground, it will eventually reach 2.50 m to 4 m tall with a spread of 1.50 m to 2.50 m; in a large container, expect around 1.50 m to 2 m tall. Its foliage is evergreen; its elliptical leaves are leathery, dark green and shiny. Flowering occurs between December and March; the flowers are semi-double, widely open, and measure 10–12 cm in diameter. They are a strong pink, with a centre of clearly visible yellow stamens. This variety is hardy, but it particularly appreciates mild and humid climates.
Plant hybrid camellia ‘Inspiration’ as a standalone specimen near an entrance, at the edge of a copse or near the terrace to enjoy the flowers at eye level. In a border, position it in dappled shade, in a pocket of acidic soil, rich in leaf mould, kept moist by mulching. Here are a few companion planting ideas: with Pieris japonica ‘Purity’ (white flowers in spring), Japanese azaleas like ‘Hino-Crimson’ or ‘Kirin’, and Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’ for its winter fragrance. To accompany it in summer, plant it in front of Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snowflake’, for example.
The contribution of C. saluenensis to British hybridisations revolutionised camellia cultivation in the 20th century by improving floribundity and weather resistance; ‘Inspiration’ is often considered a close "cousin" of the famous ‘Donation’, but with a more mauve hue and flowers reputed to be more resistant to bad weather.
Camellia Inspiration in pictures
Plant habit
Flowering
Foliage
Botanical data
Camellia
reticulata × saluenensis
'Inspiration'
Theaceae
Camellia × williamsii ‘Inspiration’
Cultivar or hybrid
Planting and care
Camellia 'Inspiration' tolerates sun in favourable climates, such as in northern Atlantic regions, but it is at its best in partial shade or even full shade, protected from scorching sun and sheltered from strong winds. Plant it in moist, humus-bearing, slightly acidic, fertile and well-drained soil. Do not plant the bush too deeply; the top of the root ball should be covered by 3 cm. In winter, cover it with a 5 to 7 cm thick mulch formed of leaf mould and shredded bark. During dry periods, water the bush (preferably with non-calcareous water) to prevent flower buds from dropping. It is best to plant the camellia in autumn to encourage good rooting and better flowering from the first year. Possible diseases are: chlorosis caused by excess lime, brown spots caused by scorching on leaves in full south-facing exposure, sooty mould, scale insects and vine weevils.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a (East Coast and Midlands: Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Portlaoise). It will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the north-west (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal, Westport), delay planting by 1 to 2 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 1 to 2 weeks in autumn compared to the dates given, preferably choosing periods without strong winds.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (Wicklow Mountains, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Connemara, Killarney), it is best to plant in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), avoiding periods of waterlogged soil in winter and strong winds, which pose the main risk to newly planted trees in these areas.
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a, such as the East Coast and Midlands, including Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Portlaoise.
This will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the northwest (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal and Westport), it will be delayed by one to two weeks compared to the given dates, due to stronger Atlantic winds and less spring sunshine.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (the Wicklow Mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Connemara and Killarney), flowering will be delayed by two to three weeks. Flowering mainly occurs between May and July, with the limiting factors being less frost and more of the excessive humidity, strong winds and lack of sunshine that are characteristic of these areas.
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