Theaceae Family Beauty: Chansonette Camellia Revealed

The Theaceae is a camellia variety bred from the Shishigashira cultivar in Texas, USA, and was introduced in 1958. Its blossoms are a light purplish-red with full double petals, considered medium-sized flowers with a diameter of 7-8cm.

Its leaves are densely grown and dark green. It grows quickly and is known in Taiwan as “Lantian Biyu,” making it a highly ornamental camellia variety. The Chansonette thrives in warm climates, is somewhat cold-tolerant, heat-resistant, and prefers high humidity, disliking dryness.

I. Basic Introduction

The camellia “Chansonette” was bred from the Shishigashira cultivar by Marjorie Washburne in Texas, USA, and was introduced in 1958. It is purplish-red, with full double petals, medium-sized flowers, a diameter of 7-8cm, and 2.5cm thick.

Its leaves are densely grown and dark green. The plant shape is open and loose, and it grows quickly. It blooms from October to January of the following year.

In 1958, it won the Ralph Peer Sasanqua Award from the American Camellia Society. In Taiwan, it is known as “Lantian Biyu.”

II. Common Varieties

Germplasm Name: Chansonette

Foreign Germplasm Name: Chansonette

Family Name: Theaceae

Latin Family Name: Theaceae

Genus Latin Name: Camellia

Genus Name: Camellia

Species or Subspecies Name: Camellia

Species Latin Name: Camellia japonica

Place of Origin: New Zealand

Classification Code: 11132113109

Resource Type: Bred Variety

III. Characteristics and Features

Main Features: High Quality

Main Use: Ornamental

Climate Belt: Subtropical, Warm Temperate

Growth Habit: Early flowering, prefers semi-shade, dislikes intense sunlight, likes warm climates, somewhat cold-tolerant, heat-resistant, likes high humidity, dislikes dryness.
Flowering and Fruiting Characteristics: Perennial, matures in 4-5 years, peak flowering period is 5-223 years.

Characteristic Features: Full double petals, light purplish-red, compact plant shape.

Specific Uses: Seedling, ecology, ornamental

Altitude: 200m

Soil Type: Slightly acidic soil

Ecological Environment: Subtropical Warm Temperate