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Plant Finder Tool

shrub

Japanese Camellia

Camellia japonica

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Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica) at Rainbow Gardens

Japanese Camellia flowers

Japanese Camellia flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica) at Rainbow Gardens

Japanese Camellia flowers

Japanese Camellia flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica) at Rainbow Gardens

Japanese Camellia

Japanese Camellia

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  10 feet

Spread:  7 feet

Sunlight:  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  6b

Other Names:  Common Camellia

Description:

Lustrous evergreen foliage cover this upright shrub; masses of lovely flowers that are usually pink to red bloom in the winter season; over 3000 cultivars and hybrids are cultivated; provide rich, acidic, moist, well-drained soil

Ornamental Features

Japanese Camellia features showy shell pink round flowers with red overtones at the ends of the branches from late winter to early spring. It has dark green evergreen foliage. The glossy pointy leaves remain dark green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Japanese Camellia is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Japanese Camellia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • Hedges/Screening
  • General Garden Use
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Japanese Camellia will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 7 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub does best in partial shade to full shade. Keep it well away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in both summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is not originally from North America.

Japanese Camellia makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight Soil pH Preference
Characteristics
Accent  Massing  Screening  Garden  Container 
Applications
Flowers 
Ornamental Features

Disclaimer - This Plant Finder tool is an online resource representing many of the varieties that we carry over the course of the season, and is intended for informational purposes only. Inventory varies seasonally, so we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times - please contact the store directly for current availability. It does not include our entire selection of plants, so be sure to visit our store to see varieties that may not be represented on this list.