Camellia reticulata 'Mary Williams' (Pot Size 15cm) sold by Boma Garden Centre

Camellia ‘Mary Williams’ is a striking evergreen shrub that commands attention when in bloom. According to the RHS, it is a vigorous, upright plant with bold, single rose-pink flowers that appear in early to mid spring.  Shoot Gardening likewise describes it as compact yet vigorous, with glossy, dark green leaves and showy rose-pink blooms.  In UK gardens it makes a beautiful specimen plant, especially when viewed against darker foliage or positioned where its blooms stand out at eye level. It works well in a sheltered shrub border, woodland edge, or large container planting. The foliage provides year-round structure, and the flowers offer a welcome splash of colour before many other shrubs have awakened. Pair it with companion acid-loving shrubs such as rhododendrons, azaleas, Pieris, or shade-tolerant ferns and pulmonarias for an appealing layered effect.