How to Care for Camellia Japonica

There are more than 2,000 registered camellia cultivars to choose from.

Camellia japonica, or camellia, is a graceful, evergreen shrub that grows up to 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Large, rose-like blooms appear in late winter or early spring and are available in various colors, including red, white and pink. Camellia japonica thrives in partial shade and moist, acidic soil. They make excellent border, specimen or accent plants, and do well when grown in the shade of large trees, such as pines or oaks.

Things You'll Need

• Spade
• Pine bark mulch
• Pine straw
• Slow-release fertilizer
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Dig a hole, using a garden spade, that is two times the diameter and the same depth as the container the camellia japonica was purchased in. Combine 2 to 3 inches of pine bark mulch with the turned soil. Plant at the depth the camellia was growing in its container. Water the the plant until the soil is very moist.

2. Add a 3- to 4-inch layer of pine straw around the plant.

3. Water whenever the top 1 inch of soil is dry. Always check the moisture level before watering because camellias will not survive if their roots remain too wet.

4. Apply slow-release fertilizer in early spring at the rate instructed on the package. Avoid fertilizing during the first growing season.

5. Prune to the preferred shape and size in spring, after all blooms have faded. Clip off damaged or dead foliage as necessary, using pruning shears.

Tips & Warnings

• Cover flower buds if a hard frost is predicted for your area.

• Camellia japonica is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 7 through 9.

References

• North Carolina State University; Camellia Japonica; Erv Evans
• University of California Extension; Camellias; Kathie Carter
• Floridata; Camellia Japonica; Steve Christman; March 2008
• North Carolina State University; Camellia Culture; Erv Evans;