Camellia japonica

Common Names:
Camellia, Japanese Camellia

Classification:
Conifers / Evergreens, Shrubs, Trees

Origin:

China, Japan

Sun/Water Requirements:

Partial sun.
Moderate climate.
Provider Notes: "Should be sited in partial shade; too much shade or sun results in depressed flowering; pine shade appears ideal for successful cultureprefers moist, acid, well-drained, high organic matter soils; plants in high pH soils do not prosper; best to mulch since root system is not particularly deep."

Climate / Hardiness Zones:

Zone 7 to Zone 9
Provider notes: "Careful siting in Zone 7 a must. Also choose the cultivar based on cold hardiness since this dictates whether the plant will survive. In Athens - Atlanta area numerous plants were killed at -3 degrees F during the 1983-84, 84-85 winters; the plants never really acclimated (cold hardened) and when the cold arrived plants succumbed, with proper hardening the best of the cold hardy selections should survive Zone 6 (0 to -10 degrees F)."

Growth:

Range: Grows from 10' to 20'.
Rate: Relatively slow growth.
Provider notes: "usually a dense pyramid of lustrous dark green foliage; some forms more open than others and a bit more graceful; have also seen forms that are columnar-pyramidal; in general rather stiff, stodgy and formal."

Flowers:

Colors: Pink, Red, White
Season(s): Spring, Winter

Provider notes: "Unfortunately, with flowers opening from November -December to April, many times the petals are turned brown from the cold. I suspect anything below 32 degrees F. for a time will cause some petal deterioration. Very difficult to assess the best forms and the local garden center and nursery are the best sources for what will grow locally and perform successfully."

Foliage:

Broadleaf Evergreen
Color: Leaves are dark green in the summer..
Provider notes: "If sited in full sun, some discoloration may occur in winter; this is not, hoever, absolute."

Fruit:

Color: Black
Season(s): Fall

Landscape Value:

Can be used as a foundation plant.
Can be used as a specimen plant.
Can be used as a hedge plant.
Can be used as a grouping plant.

Provider notes: "A cherished plant in southern gardens; the plant is experiencing a rebirth after devastating freezes killed venerable specimens; being used in borders, mixed plantings, and as an accent or focus point in protected courtyards or against walls. The flowers are beautiful and a shrub in full regalia is an object of great beauty."

Other:

Provider notes: "Excessive fertilization and irrigation applied after spring growth may predispose plants to greater cold injury; late pruning (September, October and November) also predisposed plants to greater winter kill."

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