Camellia Japonica Hedge
Camellias are wonderful plants. Most varieties have attractive, glossy green foliage, and they put on their fabulous flower display in the cooler months of the year when the rest of the garden often looks dull and bare.
As well as making excellent specimen plants and pot plants, japonica camellias can be used as a fence or an informal hedge, as seen in our segment. Don showed a row of red flowering japonicas planted along the boundary of a property, about 1.5m (5′) apart. The camellias were in full flower and the effect was stunning. If you want to do the same thing in your garden, remember to stick to one variety, rather than mixing plants with different coloured flowers and growth habits. In general, the darker the flower colour the more sun japonicas will take. Some reds will take almost full sun, but the whites prefer shade.
Plant details
Common name: Japanese camellia
Botanic name: Camellia japonica
The genus name, Camellia, honours the work of Georg Josef Kamel, a Moravian Jesuit botanist (1661-1716). The species name, japonica, is Latin meaning ‘from Japan’. However, the plant also grows in the wild in Korea, China, Taiwan and other neighbouring islands.
Description:
An evergreen, large shrub or small tree, growing to around 5m (15′) tall and 4m (12′) wide in cultivation, but larger in its native habitat. The leaves are dark, glossy green with a paler reverse. The flowers, which range in colour from pure white to deep red, are produced from winter to spring. There are thousands of named cultivars and they vary in foliage and habit, as well as in flower size and form.
Best climate:
Camellias will grow in most areas apart from the hot tropics and inland. In areas with alkaline soils (such as around Adelaide), they may need to be grown in containers with potting mix for acid loving plants.
Care:
Japonicas prefer a slightly acid (pH 5.5-6.0), humus-rich soil with good drainage, and protection from direct sun and strong winds. Fertilise in spring with camellia and azalea food, and mulch with compost (such as composted autumn leaves) or milled cow manure. Keep well watered, particularly when it is hot and dry.
Getting started
Japonica camellias are available at nurseries, or specialist camellia nurseries such as the ones listed below. They are priced at about $23 for a 200mm (8″) plant. More mature specimens in 300mm (12″) pots sell for around $60.
Specialist camellia nurseries
NSW
Camellia Grove Nursery
8 Cattai Ridge Road,
Glenorie 2157
Ph: 9652 1200
QLD
Hawkins Gardenway
1666 Old Cleveland Road
Chandler, 4155
Phone: (07) 3390 1633
Fax: (07) 3390 1618
SA
Newman’s Nursery
North East Road
Tea Tree Gully, 5091
Phone: (08) 8264 2661
WA
John Cole’s Nursery
Lot 5, Beenyup Road
Banjup, 6164
Phone: (08) 9417 9834