Camellia japonica 'Kramer's Supreme'

The award-winning 'Kramer's Supreme' camellia is a winter-blooming cultivar with brilliant red flowers in the Theaceae family. When grown as a shrub, it tends to have a low canopy, but can also be grown as a small tree.   

Grows best when placed in moist but well drained soil in a location that sheltered from cold or dry wind.  When unprotected, the flowers and buds can sustain damage.  Protection from direct sun in the afternoon.  Young plants need to be watered regularly to prevent the root ball from drying out.

Ensure that your soil meets the nutrient and mild acidity requirements, approximately 6.5 on the scale.  The acid can be raised slightly by adding coffee grounds to the soil.  

Its slow growth rate makes it a great candidate as a container plant.

The plant requires little maintenance. Because next year's blossoms appear on old growth, prune immediately after flowering or in early summer.  If pruned too early, current season flowers can be damaged. Pruning later in the year may sacrifice next year’s blooms.  During the flowering stage, remove spent flowers as well as any dead or weak branches.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Insects that can cause damage include vine weevil, aphids and scale insects.

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

More information on Camellia japonica.