Camellia
Camellia japonica
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Aug 4, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Camellia
Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica) is a classic evergreen shrub or small tree from East Asia celebrated for its large, formal rose-like blooms in red, pink, white, or bicolor that appear in late fall through early spring. With lustrous dark green foliage year-round and thousands of named cultivars, it is among the most treasured flowering shrubs in Southern gardens. Starting at $14.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Fall, Winter, Spring
- Flower Color
- White, Red, Pink
- Growth Rate
- Slow
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Acidic, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Good planting window.
Active growing season.
Bloom season. Ideal planting window.
Bloom season. Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Plant in dappled or filtered light, or morning sun with afternoon shade; avoid intense afternoon sun in NE Florida, which scorches leaves and buds. The east- or north-facing side of a building is ideal.
Water deeply and consistently, especially during summer dry spells; both over- and underwatering cause bud drop in fall. Mulch heavily to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature around shallow roots.
Camellias require well-drained, acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5); amend NE Florida's sandy soils with organic matter and maintain with pine bark mulch. Fertilize with an acid-forming camellia/azalea fertilizer in spring and again after bloom; avoid late-season nitrogen that stimulates tender growth before winter. Watch for tea scale, a common year-round pest in Florida.
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Common questions
Is Camellia a good plant for St. Augustine?
Camellia is a shrub for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, with low salt tolerance, reaching 10-15 feet × 10-15 feet (can reach 25 feet with age).
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.