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Camellia japonica

Phonetic Spelling
ka-MEE-lee-ah jah-PON-ih-kah
Description

Japanese camellia is an evergreen woody shrub or small tree in the Theaceae (tea) family. Native to China, Korea, and parts of Japan, it has become a southern gardening favorite. The genus name Camellia is derived from Georg Josef Kamel (1706), a Jesuit missionary and naturalist who introduced Philippine flora to Europe. 

Camellia prefers shade to part-shade with some protection from drying winter winds and well-drained soils that are high in organic matter and slightly acidic (pH 5.5 to 6.5). They are slow to grow and slow to establish but are long-lived plants. Because plants are slow to establish, it is best to dig a large hole, three to four times wider, but not deeper, than the root ball, to reduce competition for water and nutrients from surrounding trees and shrubs. 

Bloom color ranges from white to all shades of pink and red. The flower size ranges from a 2-inch diameter up to 5 inches. Depending upon the variety, flowering may start as early as October and finish as late as mid-March. The flowers on each plant will usually last three to four weeks.

Excess sun, cold, or shade can reduce flowering. Yellow leaves may mean too little acidity in the soil. Some flower bud dropping may be natural, but sometimes may be caused by over-watering or under-watering. Limit pruning to remove dead or damaged wood, unproductive branches, and disproportionately long shoots. Prune immediately after flowering or in early summer. Pruning later in the year may sacrifice next year’s blooms. Propagate camellia by stem cuttings.

Camellia attracts pollinators and songbirds and is at home in an Asian garden, children’s garden, edible garden, or pollinator garden. They are beautiful but problematic plants. A native shrub would be a better choice

Quick ID Hints:

  • Leaves are 2 to 3 inches long.
  • Leaves are glossy, leathery.
  • Leaves evergreen, coriaceous, serrate 
  • Flowers axillary, giant (usually are double)
  • Flowers late winter to early spring (February to April)

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Scale can be a troublesome insect pest. Aphids, planthoppers, and spider mites may also cause problems.  Camellias are susceptible to a number of fungal diseases including leaf spots, anthracnose, viruses, black mold, petal blight, canker, and root rot.  All camellias are susceptible to petal blight fungus (Ciborinia camelliae). If petal blight occurs (browning that runs from edges to the center), all infected plant parts should be promptly removed. They are intolerant of alkaline soils.  Yellow leaves with green veins may indicate chlorosis which can be treated by adding iron chelates to the soil.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common camellia diseases and insect pests.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Collector’s Garden Dry Stream Bed Garden in Cabarrus County Hydrangeas in the Garden Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden Cottage Style Foundation Planting Woodland Walk Lush Foundation Planting
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Adolphe Audusson Special', 'Black Tie', Cinnamon Cindy, 'Crimson Candles', 'Grace Albritton', 'Higo Ohkan', hybrida Winter Series, 'Jacks', ‘Jack’s Pink’, 'Kramer's Supreme', 'Lady Clare', 'Lady Laura', 'Magic City', 'Morning Glow', Nuccio's Gem, 'Otome', 'White By The Gate'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#small tree#white flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#slow growing#salt tolerant#cover plant#tsc#flowering tree#children's garden#playground plant#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#fantz#Asian garden#evergreen shrub#flowers early spring#evergreen tree#border back#bird friendly#cover plant winter#tsc-s#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#disease problems#insect problems#landscape plant sleuths course#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems#wildlife friendly#woodland#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Adolphe Audusson Special', 'Black Tie', Cinnamon Cindy, 'Crimson Candles', 'Grace Albritton', 'Higo Ohkan', hybrida Winter Series, 'Jacks', ‘Jack’s Pink’, 'Kramer's Supreme', 'Lady Clare', 'Lady Laura', 'Magic City', 'Morning Glow', Nuccio's Gem, 'Otome', 'White By The Gate'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#small tree#white flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#slow growing#salt tolerant#cover plant#tsc#flowering tree#children's garden#playground plant#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#fantz#Asian garden#evergreen shrub#flowers early spring#evergreen tree#border back#bird friendly#cover plant winter#tsc-s#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#disease problems#insect problems#landscape plant sleuths course#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems#wildlife friendly#woodland#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Camellia
    Species:
    japonica
    Family:
    Theaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China , Korea, Central & Southern Jap
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts pollinators and provides cover for wintering birds.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 13 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Columnar
    Dense
    Erect
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    A woody capsule up to 1" in length.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    Variegated
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    3-5 in. semi-double to double flowers in late winter or early spring are white, pink, red, rose, variegated.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate, simple, lustrous, leathery, dark green leaves are 2-4 in. long. They are ovate to elliptic with serrated margins.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Leaf Scar Shape:
    C-shaped, Cresent shaped
    Stem Lenticels:
    Conspicuous
    Stem Description:
    Dark brown, covered with blackish lenticels, leaf scars crescent-shaped.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Recreational Play Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Children's Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Flowering Tree
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Salt
    Problems:
    Frequent Disease Problems
    Frequent Insect Problems