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Camellia japonica 'Lady Clare'

Previously known as:

  • Camellia japonica 'Akashigata'
Description

'Lady Clare' is a pink flowering camellia cultivar in the Theaceae (tea) family.  It appeared as 'Akashigata' in 1898 in its native country of Japan. It was then imported into Europe by Louis van Toutte of Belgium.  He in turn sold it to the Caledonia Nursery where it became knows as 'Lady Clare'.

The semi-double flowers are showy and appear from mid to late winter.  Their ruffled petals resemble crêpe paper, wrinkled and delicate.  It boasts a distinct column of stamens.  

This low maintenance plant can be trimmed or pruned after its blooming period and before buds begin to set in the summer.  It will tolerate a hard pruning.

Makes a great container plant, however, is not winter hardy in colder climates.  Cold, dry wind and frost can cause damage to the buds and flowers.  Providing a sheltered location can protect from wind damage.  

Although mature plants are drought tolerant, newly planted should be kept watered until well established.  Flowers and foliage tend to drop if the young plant is allowed to dry out.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Common insect issues include aphids, tea scale and vine weevil.  Tea scale will appear as yellow blotches on the upper side of the foliage.

Wet conditions can cause root rot.

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

 

More information on Camellia japonica.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#pink flowers#winter interest#deer resistant#cutting garden#floral arrangement#evergreen shrub#evergreen tree#humidity tolerant#winter garden#flowers late winter#flowers mid-winter#wind damage prone#salt intolerant#wet soils intolerant#full sun intolerant#long lived
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#pink flowers#winter interest#deer resistant#cutting garden#floral arrangement#evergreen shrub#evergreen tree#humidity tolerant#winter garden#flowers late winter#flowers mid-winter#wind damage prone#salt intolerant#wet soils intolerant#full sun intolerant#long lived
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Camellia
    Species:
    japonica
    Family:
    Theaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Landscape
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Japan
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Buffer
    Colorful
    Screening
    Shade
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Weeping
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Deep pink, 5", semi-double flowers. Its yellow stamens form as a cluster. The roots of the stamens are reddish.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The large, dark green leaves are smooth.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Light Gray
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Multi-stemmed
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Shade Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Heat
    Humidity