Jean-Baptiste Le Floch

Jean-Baptiste Le Floch (C.japonica) European Reg. No. 142.  Chance seedling first established in 1993, which first bloomed in 1999.  Grown and named by Fañch Le Moal, of Park ar Brug, Plouisy, Brittany, France.  Introduced in “Catalogue des obtentions bretonnes du Camellia”, published by the Société bretonne du Camellia, 2012.   It is named in honor of the son of passionate camellia enthusiasts, who was born on the same day the plant first flowered.  The plant has a fastigiate habit, with rapid growth; it has a long blooming period, starting mid-season. Buds are oval and green.  Medium-sized flat, semi-double blooms are medium purplish pink (RHS red-purple 62B) with an average of 22 petals per bloom; the blooms shatter when spent.  Stamens are columnar, with yellow anthers and white filaments.  Leaves are flat and dark green, of medium size.  Fruit is sparse.