Description
Camellia japonica, commonly known as the Japanese camellia, is a beautiful and popular evergreen shrub that is native to Japan and China. This plant is prized for its stunning flowers, which can range in colour from white to pink, red and even dark red. Japanese camellia is a hardy plant that thrives in partial shade to full sun and well-draining, acidic soil. The leaves of this plant are dark green, glossy, and have an attractive oval shape. As a low-maintenance and shade-tolerant shrub, Camellia japonica is an excellent choice for adding year-round interest to a garden. It can be used as a specimen plant, in mass plantings or as an informal hedge. The plant is also known for its resistance to pests and diseases, making it a great option for gardeners who want an easy-care plant. Camellia japonica is also used in traditional medicine. The plant had a long history of medicinal use in Asia, with practitioners using the leaves and flowers to treat a range of ailments, including fever, inflammation, and respiratory issues. Overall, Camellia japonica is a beautiful and versatile addition to any UK garden. Its stunning flowers, low maintenance requirements, and shade tolerance make it an excellent choice for gardeners of all levels of experience.
Key Facts
- Common Name(s):Japanese Camelia ‘Dr King’
- Hardiness:Fully hardy through most of the UK
- How big will I get? Camellia japonica ‘Dr. King’ can grow to a height of 4m and a spread of 2.5m.
- Did You Know That:Camelia japonica was used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies?
Plant Calendar
A rough guide to how this plant will change through the year.
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Care Guide
Soil Requirements
Camellia japonica ‘Dr. King’ is a versatile plant and can cope with wet or drier soils, but prefers there to be decent drainage. This plant is not tolerant of alkaline soil, it requires either a neutral or acidic soil to grow.
Best Position
Camellia japonica ‘Dr. King’ prefers a sheltered position and is perfect for darker areas of your garden it likes either full or partial shade.
Maintenance
Camellia japonica ‘Dr. King’ is fairly low maintenance and doesn’t require any pruning.
Pest, Diseases and Wildlife
Camellia japonica ‘Dr. King’ can have problems with aphids and scale insects, it can be vulnerable to certain diseases such as honey fungus and root rot. It is not considered to be toxic.
