Species

Camellia japonicaJapanese Camellia

27 other cultivars

shrub

Japanese Camellia

Camellia japonica 'Kick Off'

The Story

Plant Bio

Camellia japonica is an evergreen shrub native to eastern Asia, featuring glossy dark green leaves with finely serrated margins. The species produces broad blooms during cool seasons in acidic, organic-rich soils sheltered from intense sun.

'Kick Off' forms large double peony-form flowers with light pink petals heavily streaked and speckled with dark pink to red, occasionally showing gold-tipped stamens. The shrub develops a vigorous, upright habit reaching eight to ten feet tall while retaining dense foliage year-round.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces striking variegated pink double blooms in fall and winter when few other shrubs flower.

Functions as a dense, glossy evergreen barrier or focal plant in shaded garden beds.

Provides winter nectar and pollen resources for early-active honeybees and native insect pollinators.

SpeciesCamellia japonicaJapanese Camellia

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

108"

Width

84"

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Asia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Fall – Winter

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site with partial shade or filtered light protected from strong afternoon sun and cold winds.
Amend the planting area with abundant organic material to ensure an acidic pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and sit the top of the root crown slightly above the surrounding soil level.
Backfill with soil, water thoroughly, and apply a thick mulch layer around the base while keeping mulch off the trunk.

Pro Tip

Prune strictly after flowering finishes in spring, as flower buds set on old wood during the summer.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Keep soil consistently moist, especially during late summer when next season's flower buds set.
Apply acid-formulating fertilizer during spring and early summer growth periods.
Maintain high drainage to protect roots from waterlogging.

Don't

Do not prune late in the season, which removes developing flower buds.
Do not plant in alkaline or compacted clay soils that retain excessive water.
Do not let the root zone dry out completely during hot summer spells.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Specimen planting in shaded lawn bordersMixed shrub borders in woodland gardensFormal screen or informal hedgeLarge patio container plant

Companion Plants

Rhododendron Acer palmatum Heuchera Pieris japonica

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Japanese Camellia questions

What zones can Japanese Camellia grow in?

Japanese Camellia is hardy in USDA Zones 7–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Japanese Camellia deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Japanese Camellia, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Japanese Camellia bloom?

Japanese Camellia typically blooms in fall through winter. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Japanese Camellia need full sun?

Japanese Camellia does best in part shade.