Camellia Emmett Barnes

This flowering shrub is an early bloomer, late winter to early spring. It has large ruffled blooms with papery white petals and yellow stamens. Its slightly curled leaves are so dark they can appear from a distance as a black backdrop showcasing the pearly blooms.

The compact bush has an upright growth habit, growing to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide, and can be limbed up to make a small tree. It's a lovely specimen or espalier but is brilliant planted in mass, especially as an evergreen hedge. Although the plant is heat resistant, it performs best in dappled shade.