Camellia japonica is an evergreen shrub highly prized in gardens for its spectacular winter and spring bloom.

It appears as a compact and well-branched shrub, reaching heights between 1.5 and 4 meters, with a dense and neat canopy. Its evergreen, ovate-elliptic, leathery, and glossy leaves are a bright dark green, contributing to its decorative appearance throughout the year.

The true highlight of Camellia japonica is its flowering, which typically occurs between January and April, depending on the climate and variety. The flowers, either solitary or gathered in small clusters, are among the most ornamental: large, showy, and available in a wide range of colors—from pure white to soft pink, to deep red—often streaked or speckled. The flower forms are equally diverse: single, double, peony-shaped, or anemone-like, all of which are extremely decorative.

It prefers positions in bright partial shade, where it is protected from direct sunlight during the hottest hours and from cold winds. It thrives in acidic soils, rich in organic matter, cool but well-drained.

Camellia japonica is a slow-growing but very long-lived plant, requiring minimal maintenance: a light pruning after flowering is enough to maintain its shape. It is sensitive to intense and prolonged frosts but can withstand temperatures as low as about -10°C if well acclimated and protected.

It is ideal as a specimen plant or in groups in ornamental gardens, along tree-lined avenues, in shaded borders, or as the centerpiece of Japanese gardens. Also grown in pots, it enhances terraces and balconies with its elegant form and lavish blooms.

→ Contact us to discover all the varieties of Camellia japonica available at our nursery.