Camellia japonica 'Mathotiana'

Beautiful dark red with a purplish tinge to the outer edges of the petals. Large formal double blooms to 5 inches across. Blooms winter to early spring. A reliable and easily grown Camellia. 'Purple Dawn' is considered by some to be the same as 'Mathotiana'. Camellias are the rose of winter in southern gardens, with their colorful blossoms held against deep rich green glossy foliage on a naturally upright to rounded evergreen shrub. Pick the flowers and float them in a bowl of water to bring their beauty indoors. Camellias prefer an acidic, humus rich soil with an organic mulch and average moisture. Once well-established they need little additional care and will continue to perform for years to come. Most Camellias do best where they get light shade or morning sun and the light filtered shade of pines seems to be perfect.