Japanese Camellia
Japanese Camellia
Camellia japonica
An evergreen shrub for sheltered courtyards, glossy in leaf and lavish at the end of winter.
Checked by the editorial team – Updated July 2026
Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica) is a shrub in the Theaceae family. It is mainly grown in partial shade, shade, in acidic, fertile, Lourd soil, with a mature size around 1,5 m to 2 m. Its red, white, pink flowering and hardiness to -20 deg C make it a plant to match carefully with place and purpose.
Botanical identity card
Gardener calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planting | ||||||||||||
| Flowering | ||||||||||||
| Leaf season | ||||||||||||
| Care |
With japanese camellia, refinement is not rarity but accuracy: the right place first, then the quiet gesture. For shrub habit, bushy, specimen, a well-trained plant is worth more than a forced one.
– Les Jardins d’un Chatelain
Portrait
An evergreen shrub for sheltered courtyards, glossy in leaf and lavish at the end of winter.
In a character garden, japanese camellia is first used to build a scene: shrub habit, bushy, specimen, border. The position should be chosen before purchase, because the plant performs better when light, soil and mature size agree.
The reference record points to partial shade, shade and acidic, fertile, Lourd soil. Respecting that match is the quiet economy of good gardening: fewer corrections, less water and cleaner pruning.
Notable varieties
| Variety or form | Useful character | Garden situation |
|---|---|---|
| Camellia japonica ‘Bella Lamberti’ | red – shrub habit – 1,5 m to 2 m | shrub habit, bushy, specimen |
| Camellia japonica ‘Blanc’ | white – shrub habit – 1,5 m to 2 m | shrub habit, bushy, specimen |
| Camellia japonica ‘Blood of China’ | red – shrub habit – 1,5 m to 2 m | shrub habit, bushy, specimen |
| Camellia japonica ‘Comtesse Lavinia Maggi’ | white, red – shrub habit – 1,5 m to 2 m | shrub habit, bushy, specimen |
| Camellia japonica ‘Giuseppe Traverso’ | white, pink – shrub habit – 1,5 m to 2 m | shrub habit, bushy, specimen |
| Camellia japonica ‘Il Tramonto’ | pink – shrub habit – 1,5 m to 2 m | shrub habit, bushy, specimen |
The Chatelain Method
Observe
Choose bright shade, acidic soil and shelter from cold wind.
Diagnose
Bud drop often follows summer drought or late frost.
Correct
Water in summer while buds are forming.
Prevent
Mulch and protect flowers from icy winds.
Frequently asked questions
When should Japanese Camellia be planted?
Use the calendar above as the first guide. Outside frost, heatwaves and waterlogged soil, planting works best while the ground is cool and workable.
Which exposure is best?
Japanese Camellia prefers partial shade, shade. In hot climates, shelter from the harshest sun reduces stress.
What soil does it need?
The reference data points to acidic, fertile, Lourd soil. Improve the planting hole before planting rather than correcting later.
Is Japanese Camellia hardy?
Available data indicates hardiness down to -20 deg C, to be adjusted for wind, winter wet and plant age.