Williamsii Camellia Camellia × williamsii 'Ruby Wedding' (d)
ABOUT
The Camellia 'Ruby Wedding' is a captivating plant that bears a striking resemblance to roses. It is renowned for its luxurious, deep ruby red flowers that radiate a sense of elegance and romance. Each blossom is composed of multiple layers of petals, creating a full and rounded shape. The petals boast a glossy texture that appears to reflect light, giving the blooms a lustrous sheen. The rich, evergreen foliage forms a luscious backdrop for the flowers, with leaves that have a deep green hue and a leathery, glossy surface. The foliage remains throughout the year, ensuring that the plant provides color and life to gardens even when it is not in bloom. Flowering typically occurs in the cooler months, adding a vibrant splash of color when many other plants have ceased to bloom. This makes the Camellia 'Ruby Wedding' an invaluable addition to any garden, providing interest during a time when color is often scarce. The flowers tend to open gradually from tight, round buds, promising a prolonged display of beauty. In essence, the Camellia 'Ruby Wedding' is a plant that exudes a timeless appeal through its opulent flowers and rich, green leaves, making it a cherished plant for gardeners looking to add a touch of elegance to their outdoor spaces.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Ruby Wedding Camellia, Williamsii Camellia
Common names
Camellia × williamsii 'Ruby Wedding'
ToxicityTo humans
The Williamsii camellia is generally not considered toxic to humans. Ingestion of this plant typically does not cause any significant symptoms of poisoning, and it is usually regarded as safe around children and adults regarding toxicity.
To pets
The Williamsii camellia is not known to be toxic to pets. It is not typically associated with symptoms of poisoning if pets ingest parts of the plant. Therefore, this camellia is considered to be safe for pets from a toxicity standpoint.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Dark green
Flower color
Red
Height
8 feet (2.44 meters)
Spread
6 feet (1.83 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
7
Native area
China Japan
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Camellia × williamsii 'Ruby Wedding' is highly prized for its beautiful, showy flowers that add aesthetic value to gardens and landscapes.
- Long Flowering Season: This plant typically has a long flowering period from late winter to early spring, providing color and interest during a time when few other plants are in bloom.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, the 'Ruby Wedding' is relatively drought-tolerant, making it suitable for gardens with limited water supply.
- Shade Tolerance: It can grow well in partial shade, offering flexibility in garden design and making it a good choice for shaded areas where other plants might struggle.
- Evergreen Foliage: The plant maintains its glossy green leaves throughout the year, ensuring that the garden remains vibrant even when the plant is not in flower.
- Low Maintenance: It requires minimal pruning and is generally easy to care for, which is ideal for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Cold Resistance: The plant is hardy to a degree and can tolerate cold temperatures, making it suitable for cooler climates and extending its potential growing regions.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Camellia 'Ruby Wedding' can be used for artistic inspiration, as the deep red flowers provide a vibrant color that artists may incorporate into their paintings or fabric designs.
- The fallen petals of Camellia 'Ruby Wedding' can be collected and used to create natural dyes for clothing or paper, allowing for the creation of unique and organic colors.
- Due to its dense foliage, Camellia 'Ruby Wedding' is sometimes planted as a privacy screen in gardens, providing both aesthetic and practical benefits.
- The plant can be trained to grow in different forms, such as espaliers against walls or fences, showcasing its versatility in garden design and landscaping.
- Camellia 'Ruby Wedding' is used in horticultural therapy programs, as its care and maintenance offer therapeutic benefits to individuals with various health or emotional conditions.
- The wood of older Camellia 'Ruby Wedding' shrubs can be used for small woodworking projects, like crafting jewelry boxes or decorative items.
- Leaves from the Camellia 'Ruby Wedding' can be added to compost piles, contributing to nutrient-rich compost that benefits garden soil health.
- In floral arrangements, the buds and blooms of Camellia 'Ruby Wedding' provide a long-lasting and elegant option, often representing love and devotion due to their rich color.
- When dried, the petals can be used in potpourri mixtures, offering a subtle fragrance and a touch of color to a room's decor.
- Camellia 'Ruby Wedding' can serve as a subject for botanical studies and education, as students can learn about plant growth, reproduction, and pruning techniques.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Camellia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Camellia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Adoration: Camellia flowers often represent adoration, and the 'Ruby Wedding' variety, with its deep red petals, can symbolize deep, passionate love reminiscent of a couple celebrating their 40th anniversary.
- Perfection and Excellence: The camellia is also known for its perfect, flawless blooms, symbolizing the strive for perfection and excellence which could be a reflection of a long, successful marriage.
- Enduring Love: The longevity of the Camellia bloom throughout the seasons is seen as a symbol of enduring love, making it an excellent gift for a couple reaching a significant milestone like a ruby wedding anniversary.
WaterThe Williamsii Camellia, commonly known as ‘Ruby Wedding,’ requires consistent moisture, so water it once a week providing about 1 gallon of water per plant during the growing season. It is vital, however, not to overwater, as camellias are sensitive to waterlogged soils. In the absence of rainfall, you may need to water twice a week. During winter, reduce watering to when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Always water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to disease.
LightThe Williamsii Camellia thrives best in partial shade, where it is shielded from intense afternoon sun. An ideal spot would be under the high, dappled shade of tall trees or on the north or east side of a building. Direct morning sunlight is beneficial, but protection from the strong afternoon rays will prevent leaf scorch and promote healthy bloom development.
TemperatureCamellias, such as 'Ruby Wedding,' prefer a temperate climate with temperatures ideally ranging between 40°F and 85°F. They can survive minimum temperatures down to around 20°F but should be protected from harsh winter winds and frost. During hot summers, providing some afternoon shade will help keep temperatures cooler, which is favorable for the plant's health.
PruningPrune Williamsii Camellia to maintain its shape and remove any dead or diseased wood. The best time for pruning is immediately after blooming concludes, typically in late winter or early spring. This timing ensures you won't accidentally remove any of the developing buds for the next season's flowers. Light annual pruning will encourage new growth and a more prolific bloom.
CleaningAs needed
SoilWilliamsii Camellias require well-draining, acidic soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5. A mix of 1/3 pine bark, 1/3 garden soil, and 1/3 peat moss is ideal for these plants, ensuring proper aeration and moisture retention.
RepottingWilliamsii Camellias should be repotted every 2-3 years, preferably in the late winter or early spring, when they have outgrown their current container or the soil has become compacted.
Humidity & MistingWilliamsii Camellias thrive best in moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 40-60%, which helps to keep the foliage healthy and encourages robust growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and maintain high humidity.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, shelter from cold winds, protect from frost.
Hardiness zone
7-9 USDA
Life cycleCamellia × williamsii 'Ruby Wedding' starts its life as a seed, which germinates in moist, well-drained soil under the right temperature conditions. The seedling emerges and develops into a young plant with a set of true leaves, indicating its readiness to photosynthesize and grow actively. As the plant matures, it develops woody stems and a robust root system, entering the vegetative stage where it focuses on growth and nutrient accumulation. Once mature, it begins its reproductive phase, producing vibrant red flowers typically in late winter to early spring, which are pollinated by insects, leading to the formation of seeds. After pollination, the plant develops seed pods which eventually open to release seeds, thus completing the reproductive cycle. Over the years, the plant will continue to grow and bloom annually, with proper care and maintenance, until it reaches the end of its lifespan and eventually dies.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Early Summer
The most popular method of propagating Camellia × williamsii 'Ruby Wedding', commonly known as a camellia, is through semi-hardwood cuttings. This process typically begins in late summer after the new growth has begun to mature. To propagate, take cuttings of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) in length, ensuring each cutting has several leaves. The lower leaves should be removed, and the cut end dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. Then, the cuttings are placed in a well-draining potting mix and kept in a humid environment with indirect sunlight. The soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. With proper care, roots will develop in a few weeks to months, after which the new camellia plants can be transplanted into individual pots or into the garden.
