WSU Clark County Extension
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Japanese Camellia

Scientific name: Camellia japonica
Taxonomy
Family:Theaceae
Type:Evergreen shrubs
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:7 to 9
Moisture:Medium
Plant Characteristics
Height:15 ft
Width:10 ft
Bloom:Winter flowers
Bloom Time:February to May
Bloom Color:Red
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description Camellias are used as individual large specimen shrubs, or grown together to create shrub borders and screens. The are prized for their abundance of flowers appearing from winter to spring. There are more than 2,300 named cultivars registered with the American Camellia Society.

  Morphology:
As a dense, pyramidal evergreen shrub, Japanese camellia bears glossy, dark-green, 4” long leaves arranged in an alternate fashion on smooth stems. Large flowers, ranging from white to pink to red, bloom from winter to spring. The flowers may be single, semi-double, or double.

  Adaptation:
Camellias do best in moist, acidic, compost-amended soils that are well drained. Best suited to partially shaded sites, and protected from winter wind to prevent leaf scorch.

  Pests:
A heavy infestation of scale insects on the leaves can lead to the build-up of sooty mold fungus. Plantings of camellias that planted closely together are more prone to developing sooty mold problems.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
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