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The U.S. National Arboretum presents Camellia oleifera 'Lu Shan Snow', an exceptionally hardy, fall blooming, tea-oil camellia that can tolerate temperatures as low as -10° F. Smooth, velvety, cinnamon brown bark and fragrant white flowers make dramatic statements in the fall and winter garden--uniquely different from Camellia japonica cultivars. Grown as a small flowering tree or large shrub, 'Lu Shan Snow' will provide many hours of garden pleasure throughout the year.
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| 'Lu Shan Snow'
Tea-oil Camellia
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| Botanical Name: | Camellia oleifera Abel 'Lu Shan Snow'
(NA 68904; PI 586945) |
| Family: | Theaceae |
| Hardiness: | U.S.D.A. Zones 6 - 9 |
| Development: | 'Lu Shan Snow' was selected from a Camellia oleifera seed lot (PI 162475) obtained from the Lu Shan Botanical Garden, Peoples Republic of China. The seedling was planted in the camellia collection at the U.S. National Arboretum in 1949 and successfully withstood the bitter cold winters of the late 1970's. Dr. William Ackerman recognized the potential of C. oleifera as a genetic source of cold tolerance. He successfully used 'Lu Shan Snow' and a sibling as parents in breeding a series of cold hardy camellia hybrids in the 1980's. 'Lu Shan Snow' was named in 1991 and released in 1995. |
| Significance: | Superior cold hardiness, to -10´ F for brief periods. Pure white flowers with a pronounced sweet fragrance appear in October at the ends of branches and may persist through early November if not damaged by heavy frosts. Velvety, cinnamon-colored bark is attractive throughout the year. Original plant at the U.S. National Arboretum may be the largest specimen of C. oleifera outside of Asia. |
| Description: | Height and Width: 23 feet tall
and 20 feet wide at 50 years; growth rate of 6-12 inches per year when
young, 4-6 inches per year at maturity.
Foliage: Fine-textured, evergreen shrub or small tree. Glossy, deep forest green leaves approximately 3 inches long and 1.5 inches wide; slightly smaller than leaves of C. japonica cultivars. Bark: Smooth, velvety, warm cinnamon brown in color. Flowers: Single, fragrant, waxy, pure white flowers with a prominent crown of yellow stamens in the center of each flower. Flowers open sequentially at tips of branches. Petals are elongated and may twist slightly, giving flowers an informal appearance. Fruit: Shiny green capsule. |
| Culture: | Prefers acidic, well-drained soil with ample organic matter and consistent moisture. Requires partial shade and flowers best in very light shade such as that provided by mature oaks. Little pruning required. Plant in a location protected from early fall frosts to avoid damage to flowers. |
| Propagation: | Roots easily from cuttings taken in late spring or early summer from current season's growth, under mist, 3000-8000 ppm IBA, in a mixture of sand and peat, under shade. |
| Landscape Use: | 'Lu Shan Snow' is best used where the flowers and outstanding bark can be enjoyed at close range. Forms a multi-trunked shrub with age or can be trained to a single trunk for use as a small tree. |
| Distribution: | Limited availability through wholesale or mail-order sources |
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U.S. National Arboretum, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 3501 New York Ave., N.E., Washington, DC 20002 |
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Last Updated January 14, 2002
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