Alba Nova

Scheidweiler, ed., 1844-1845, Journal d’Horticulture Pratique, vol.2, p.88: Until now we have considered ‘Candidissima’ as the most outstanding white. We have recently compared it with Alba Plena in Mr Ryflkoget’s garden and recognised its superiority. Flowers of 9-10 cm across with 7-8 rows of broad, rounded, perfectly imbricated petals of an alabaster white with a rose bud centre. Foliage bright green. ‘Alba Nova’ was listed by Herbert as a synonym for ‘Claritas’, but Berlèse, 1843, Iconographie says "Under the name of ‘Alba Nova’ there exists in commerce another camellia, which in no way resembles this. (‘Claritas’) Moreover the ‘Claritas’ called ‘Alba Nova’ came from M. Moems, Antwerp and the ‘Alba Nova’ to which we refer was raised in Italy 3 years ago."