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Camellia japonica Donckelarii

Camellia japonica Donckelarii
Japanese Camellia, Rose of winter

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A variety of old Camellia, of medium vigour but very floriferous and hardy. This bush, with a rounded habit, seduces with its large semi-double flowers of nicely marbled carmine red with white, around a yellow stamen heart. This variety has bright, shiny light green foliage and blooms from February to April. Grow in partial shade in moist, acidic soil. A safe bet!
Flower size
10 cm
Height at maturity
1.30 m
Spread at maturity
1.20 m
Exposure
Partial shade, Shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -12°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
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Flowering time February to April
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Description

Camellia 'Donckelarii' is an ancient variety of Japanese camellia that is hardy, very floriferous, and unusual: it offers a beautiful crop of large semi-double flowers that are all different, more or less marbled with white on a carmine red background. With a medium stature and a lovely rounded habit this bush, adorned with beautiful glossy foliage, is ornamental all year round, even outside its winter to spring flowering period. It will live for many years, bringing a lot of joy to the surroundings of the house in winter. It earns its rightful place in a Japanese-style garden.

Camellia 'Donckelarii' (Syn: Masayoshi), arrived in Belgium via Japan around 1830 and is still appreciated for its many qualities, especially its resistance to cold. It belongs to the family of Theaceae, like its ancestor Camellia japonica, and has given birth to many newer quality cultivars. It is a bushy, dense and rounded shrub which will reach about 1.30 m (4 ft 4 in) in height and 1.20 m (4 ft) in width at 10 years old. From February to April it produces large, 10 cm (4 in) in diameter, semi-double, bicoloured flowers. The petals are randomly marbled with white on a red background and surround a cluster of yellow stamens at the centre. Its evergreen foliage is composed of large elliptical leaves, 10 to 12 cm (4 to 5 in) long, leathery, finely toothed at the edges, fairly light green and glossy on the top. While this shrub is hardy down to -20°C in open ground, flowering may be compromised by snow, icy wind, and temperatures below -8°C (17.6 °F).

The 'Donckelarii' Japanese Camellia thrives in mild and humid climates and flourishes in coastal regions, in acid, humus-rich, and well-drained soil. It will tolerate non-scorching sun in a favourable climate but it is in partial shade or even shade, protected from intense sun and sheltered from strong winds, that it will give its best. Plant e.g. in the foreground of a shrub bed, accompanied by other acid-loving plants such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Cornus Kousa, or even Kalmia Latifolia. However it would be a shame to drown this 'Donckelarii' variety, full of whimsy, in a tangle of foliage or flowers. It deserves a special place, near the entrance of the house or in a beautiful pot on the terrace, to be stored away in winter in cold climates.

Camellia japonica Donckelarii in pictures

Camellia japonica Donckelarii (Flowering) Flowering

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.30 m
Spread at maturity 1.20 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate slow

Flowering

Flower colour two-tone
Flowering time February to April
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 10 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Camellia

Species

japonica

Cultivar

Donckelarii

Family

Theaceae

Other common names

Japanese Camellia, Rose of winter

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference852671

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Planting and care

The Camellia japonica tolerates full, non-scorching sunlight in favourable (e.g. mild coastal) climates, but it thrives in partial shade or shade, protected from intense sunlight and sheltered from strong winds. Plant in a fresh, humus-rich, acidic, and well-drained soil. Do not plant the bush too deeply; the top of the root ball should be covered with 3 cm (1.2 in) of soil. In winter, cover it with a 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3 in) thick layer of mulch composed of leaf compost and shredded bark. Beware of late frosts that can damage the flowers and buds. Water during dry periods to prevent the bush dropping its flower buds. It is recommended to plant  camellias in autumn to promote good root development and better flowering from the first year. Possible diseases include chlorosis caused by excess limestone, brown spots caused by burns on leaves exposed to full south, sooty mould, scale insects, and weevils.

Pruning is not necessary but if required should be done sparingly just after flowering, before the emergence of new spring shoots. Most camellia hybrids do not recover from hard pruning.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Woodland edge, Undergrowth
Type of use Border, Container
Hardiness Hardy down to -12°C (USDA zone 8a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Partial shade, Shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, well-drained

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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