Wild Camellia - Camellia Cinnamon Scentsation

Camellia 'Cinnamon Scentsation' is a very attractive variety of field camellia that stands out for its enchanting spicy fragrance of its simple flowers, which are cream-white shaded with pink and highlighted by a beautiful bouquet of golden stamens. They bloom from February-March to May, on a medium-sized bush with an open and elegant habit. Its beautiful foliage is full and fairly light green, remaining decorative in all seasons. 'Cinnamon Scentsation' will work wonders in a small flowering hedge or in a wooded garden, with a mild and humid climate. It also makes a very beautiful subject to grow in a pot on a terrace or balcony. 

Derived from hybridisation work, field camellias belong to the family of Theaceae, just like the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). They are compact shrubs with evergreen foliage that flower from January to April, depending on the varieties. Less sophisticated than their close relative, the Japanese camellia, they easily find their place in a small hedge or in heathland beds. They are plants of an oceanic, mild and humid climate, and non-calcareous soils.

The cultivar 'Cinnamon Scentsation', discovered in the United States in 1995, is a spontaneous mutation of the field camellia 'Cinnamon Cindy'. It carries the genes of Camellia japonica 'Ken'yotai' and the botanical species Camellia lutchuensis. Its habit is free, dense but flexible, rather open, and its growth is moderately fast for a camellia. Within 10 years, it forms a bush 1.50 m (4.9 ft) tall and 1 m (3.3 ft) wide, sometimes more. This variety blooms from February-March to May. It produces medium-sized flowers, 7 cm (2.8 in) wide, with 5 petals, in the axils of the leaves, and all along the branches. The pink buds open into white-cream flowers washed with pink. The centre of the flower exposes numerous stamens with golden anthers. Their spicy and sweet fragrance is smooth and particularly pronounced. The flowers detach from the branches before wilting, forming a snow of white petals at the foot of the bush.

At bud break, the young leaves are coppery and gradually turn a fairly light green. They are thin, ovate and pointed, measuring no more than 5 cm (2 in) in length and 2.5 cm (1 in) in width, and have serrated edges. Hardy to -14° C (6.8° F), this variety is grown in partial shade. 

Plant Camellia 'Cinnamon Scentsation' in heathland beds, in the company of Japanese or deciduous azaleas, skimmias, Pieris, Japanese quince, and heathers, and plant some spring bulbs like tulips and narcissus at their base in autumn to easily create a colourful scene. The compact size of this variety is also suitable for pot cultivation: to fully enjoy its fragrance, place your camellia on a semi-shaded terrace, along a wall near the house, protected from cold and drying winds. 

Our field camellias are 4 years old. They will bloom from the 5th year.