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 **The U.S. National Arboretum presents *Camellia oleifera*'Lu Shan Snow', an exceptionally hardy, fall blooming, tea-oil camelliathat can tolerate temperatures as low as -10° F.** Smooth, velvety,cinnamon brown bark and fragrant white flowers make dramatic statementsin the fall and winter garden--uniquely different from *Camellia japonica*cultivars. Grown as a small flowering tree or large shrub, 'Lu Shan Snow'will provide many hours of garden pleasure throughout the year.     **'Lu Shan Snow'**Tea-oil Camellia **Botanical Name:***Camellia oleifera* Abel 'Lu Shan Snow' (NA 68904; PI 586945)**Family:**Theaceae**Hardiness:**U.S.D.A. Zones 6 - 9**Development:**'Lu Shan Snow' was selected from a *Camellia oleifera* seed lot(PI 162475) obtained from the Lu Shan Botanical Garden, Peoples Republicof China. The seedling was planted in the camellia collection at the U.S.National Arboretum in 1949 and successfully withstood the bitter cold wintersof the late 1970's. Dr. William Ackerman recognized the potential of *C.oleifera* as a genetic source of cold tolerance. He successfully used'Lu Shan Snow' and a sibling as parents in breeding a series of cold hardycamellia hybrids in the 1980's. 'Lu Shan Snow' was named in 1991 and releasedin 1995.**Significance:**Superior cold hardiness, to -10´ F for brief periods. Pure whiteflowers with a pronounced sweet fragrance appear in October at the endsof branches and may persist through early November if not damaged by heavyfrosts. Velvety, cinnamon-colored bark is attractive throughout the year.Original plant at the U.S. National Arboretum may be the largest specimenof *C. oleifera* outside of Asia.**Description:****Height and Width:** 23 feet talland 20 feet wide at 50 years; growth rate of 6-12 inches per year whenyoung, 4-6 inches per year at maturity. **Foliage:** Fine-textured, evergreenshrub or small tree. Glossy, deep forest green leaves approximately 3 incheslong and 1.5 inches wide; slightly smaller than leaves of *C. japonica*cultivars. **Bark:**Smooth, velvety, warm cinnamonbrown in color. **Flowers:** Single, fragrant, waxy,pure white flowers with a prominent crown of yellow stamens in the centerof each flower. Flowers open sequentially at tips of branches. Petals areelongated and may twist slightly, giving flowers an informal appearance. **Fruit:**Shiny green capsule. **Culture:**Prefers acidic, well-drained soil with ample organic matter and consistentmoisture. Requires partial shade and flowers best in very light shade suchas that provided by mature oaks. Little pruning required. Plant in a locationprotected from early fall frosts to avoid damage to flowers.**Propagation:**Roots easily from cuttings taken in late spring or early summer fromcurrent season's growth, under mist, 3000-8000 ppm IBA, in a mixture ofsand and peat, under shade.**Landscape Use:**'Lu Shan Snow' is best used where the flowers and outstanding barkcan be enjoyed at close range. Forms a multi-trunked shrub with age orcan be trained to a single trunk for use as a small tree. **Distribution:**Limited availability through wholesale or mail-order sources
 **U.S. National Arboretum Plant Introduction** Gardens Unit U.S. National Arboretum, U.S. Department of Agriculture,Agricultural Research Service, 3501 New York Ave., N.E., Washington, DC20002
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*Last Updated January 14, 2002*URL = ../Newintro/lusnow1.htmlnarj