Camellia 'Benten Kagura'
18th March 2011
Variegated Camellia are difficult to like but this is one of the best. It has a narrow band of white
around the margin of the leaf. It seems to be quite vigorous and I have planted it where it is sufficiently
hidden to ignore if it becomes truly repulsive as it ages (which is a possibility).
A Japanese cultivar, I grew some rooted cuttings of it many years ago under the same name that had much broader white margins.
It was very striking, very slow and not very forgiving so it is long gone.
12th March 2016
7th February 2020
The International Camellia Society register says:
"Originated in Japan as a genetically foliage variegated sport of Benidaikagura. It has irregularly shaped green leaves, finely bordered yellow."
I would say that my plant has leaves finely bordered with white, which may or may not be a significant difference.
References:
W. J. Bean, Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles, Eighth edition.
International Camellia Society online Camellia register, https://internationalcamellia.org