Camellia Williamsii Dr Ralph Watkins

Camellia Dr. Ralph Watkins
Camellia Williamsii Dr Ralph Watkins is an early flowering pink camellia with large semi-double peony-like blooms. It suits a woodland garden and large containers. 
The Williamsii hybrids are a cross between Camellia Saluenensis and Camellia Japonica and named after plantsman J.C. Williams of Caerhays Castle Cornwall. They are hardier than Japonica and thus very suited to the Northern European climate. Other characteristics are they tend to be very free flowering, flowering for long periods of time and blooms tend to fall to the ground whole. 
The variety Dr Ralph Watkins was introduced to the UK in 1978 and has always been a popular choice. It is free-flowering and vigorous with large showy pink peony-like soft blooms that have a yellow centre. The flowers arrive in late winter to early spring to brighten a dull winter garden and feed the early waking pollinators.  
The foliage is elliptic, dark green and semi-glossy. It stays on the shrub all year round with new growth appearing lighter than the old. 
Winter flowering camellias make excellent Christmas gifts for enthusiastic gardeners as they are usually in bud or flowering around December & January.  

Height And Spread Of Camellia Dr. Ralph Watkins
Camellia Williamsii Dr Ralph Watkins is a compact, upright camellia that will reach 2.5 metres high and spread over 1.8 metres wide.

How Hardy Is Camellia Dr. Ralph Watkins
This camellia is hardy in the UK to sub-zero temperatures if its roots are well-drained. It needs some shelter from harsh drying winds and sunshine which will damage the buds. 

How To Use Camellia Dr. Ralph Watkins
Because camellias enjoy a sheltered and shaded aspect, they suit a low maintenance woodland garden or a sheltered bank. Camellia Williamsii Dr. Ralph Watkins also brings a bright splash of colour to a bare winter cottage garden where its open blooms are perfect for a wildlife-friendly area. 
Camellia Dr Ralph Watkins is suitable for growing in a pot as a specimen bush if the container is very large and well-watered, but ensure the plant is kept out of full sun. 

How To Care For Camellia Dr. Ralph Watkins
Camellias need acidic soil to thrive and do not fare well in chalk. 
If your soil is alkaline it’s best to grow Camellia Williamsii Dr. Ralph Watkins in a container of ericaceous compost, but ensure the roots do not dry out and it has plenty of shade. Supplement it regularly with an ericaceous feed. If you are not sure what type of soil you have, you can test it using a soil testing kit. 
Camellias need shelter from wind and sun, and they enjoy moist but well-drained soil. Be careful not to bury the stem in the planting hole as camellias prefer shallow depth.
There’s no need to prune Dr Ralph Watkins but you can remove dead or diseased branches after it has flowered. 
Mulch well with ericaceous compost and water until established.