Growing Conditions & Care:
- Flowers: The shrub produces delicate pink flowers during autumn, distinguishing it from the traditional white-flowered Camellia sinensis.
- Appearance: Features shiny green leaves with young foliage displaying a deep reddish-burgundy color.
- Habit: Compact, growing to about 1m to 1.5m , suitable for hedging or potted containers.
- Care: Thrives in dappled shade with, consistent watering during summer, and prefers rich, acidic soil.
Uses In The Garden:
- Hedge or Screen: Its dense growth habit and glossy leaves make it ideal for hedges or screening.
- Harvesting Tea: Harvest the youngest two leaves and a bud in spring to make tea. The plants are edible and produce high-quality foliage for home consumption.
- Container Gardening: Suitable for large pots with acidic potting mix.
- Garden Style: It can be espaliered or used in a sensory garden for its fragrant flowers
Making Tea from C. sinensis ‘Rose Tea’
The leaves can be harvested once the plant is established (roughly over 1m tall) and processed into various tea types:
The leaves can be harvested once the plant is established (roughly over 1m tall) and processed into various tea types:
- Green Tea: Pick leaves, dry in the shade, steam for 1 minute, then dry in the oven at 120°C for 20 minutes.
- Black Tea: Pick leaves, bruise them by rolling, dry at room temperature, and finish in the oven at 120°C for 20 minutes.
- Oolong Tea: Pick leaves, wilt in the sun, keep at room temperature, then dry in the oven at 120°C for 20 minutes