Camellia
A classic glossy-leaved evergreen prized for its long flowering season, spanning autumn through to spring depending on type - sasanqua varieties bloom in autumn/winter, japonica varieties in late winter/early spring. Size ranges from 50cm dwarf forms to small trees over 5m, so choose the variety to suit the space. Best in dappled or morning-sun positions sheltered from strong wind and hot afternoon sun, in acidic, free-draining soil. Camellia petal blight, established in New Zealand since the 1990s and now widespread through much of the North Island, has no cure - picking up and destroying fallen blooms is the main way to limit its spread.
- Sun
- partial sun
- Water
- moderate
- Spacing
- 150cm
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Grows in
- Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
- Mature height
- 3m
- Flowering season
- Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
- Attracts wildlife
- Bees
- Evergreen
- Yes
- Common diseases
- Camellia petal blight, Root rot (in poorly drained soil)
- Common pests
- Tea scale, Camellia mites
When to plant by region
In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman: August-October. In Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: September-October.
Growing stages
Planting & establishmentFirst few months
- Needs acidic, free-draining soil and a dappled or morning-sun position sheltered from strong wind and hot afternoon sun
- Water while establishing; moderate ongoing needs
- Check the mature size of the specific variety, from 50cm dwarf forms to small trees over 5m
Early growthFirst 1-2 years
- Watch for tea scale and camellia mites on new growth
- Root rot can develop in poorly drained soil, so confirm drainage before planting
FloweringAutumn through to spring, depending on type
- Sasanqua varieties bloom in autumn/winter, japonica varieties in late winter/early spring
- Pick up and destroy fallen blooms promptly; camellia petal blight, now widespread through much of the North Island, has no cure and spreads this way
- Bees visit the flowers; avoid spraying during the flowering season
Maturity
- Continue removing fallen blooms each flowering season to limit petal blight spread
- Established plants in the right position need relatively little ongoing care