Alphabetical Plant Listing

Camellia japonica 'Alba Plena'

Camellia 'Alba Plena', 'Alba Plena' Camellia, Camellia 'Da Bai', Camellia 'Double White', Camellia 'Old Double White', Fall Blooming Camellias, Winter Blooming Camellias, Spring Blooming Camellias, Early Season Camellias


One of the oldest camellias in cultivation (1797), award-winning Camellia japonica 'Alba Plena' is incredibly beautiful with its medium-sized, formal double flowers, 3-4 in. wide (4-10 cm), with over 100 petals in porcelain white. The elegant flowers are happily produced early in the season (October to January in the Northern Hemisphere; March to June in the Southern Hemisphere). Very few camellias are as popular and widely grown as 'Alba Plena'. The flowers contrast beautifully with the evergreen foliage of glossy medium green leaves.

  • This evergreen shrub has an upright and bushy habit and grows, at a slow rate, up to 6-8 ft. tall and wide (180-240 cm)
  • Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • A part shade to full shade lover, this plant is best grown in consistently moist, acidic, organically richwell-drained soils. Provide a site sheltered from cold, dry winds as buds and flowers may be damaged by cold winds. Protect from early morning sun and from direct hot summer afternoon sun.
  • May be attacked by aphids, scale insects and vine weevil
  • Mass in mixed shrub borders for dramatic winter blooms. Great flowering shrub for woodland gardens or as screen and hedge. Perfect as a specimen plant and may be effectively grown in tubs or large containers.
  • Apply a root mulch (leaves or shredded bark)
  • Prune after flowering. Prune to thin branching and to control size and shape.

Camellia japonica is the pre-eminent species of the genus and counts over 30 000 cultivars in a wide array of flower forms and colors. The blooms can reach 5 in. across (12 cm) and create a gorgeous floral display from late winter to spring. They range in color from pure white to soft pink to dark red and may be single, semi-double, double, formal double or full peony form. Slow grower, this broadleaved, evergreen shrub may grow up to 25 feet (7.5 m), but more often to 6-12 feet (180-360 cm) with a spread of 6-10 feet (180-300 cm). Its shapely habit, handsome, glossy foliage and fabulous flowers have attracted gardeners for hundreds of years in Asia. Long-lived, some Japanese camellias, around the emperor's palace in Japan, are known to be more than 500 years old. Unfortunately, Japanese camellias are not always cold-hardy (USDA Hardiness Zone 7 – 9).

Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Gorgeous Camellias

A common myth about Camellias is that they are very fussy and difficult to grow. This is not true. Camellias are exceptionally care-free plants if they are given a well-chosen site. Here are some basic rules that need to be followed to enjoy their splendid flowers.Read More

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Requirements

Hardiness 7 – 9
Heat Zones 7 – 8
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Camellia
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Fall
Winter
Height 6' – 8' (180cm – 240cm)
Spread 6' – 8' (180cm – 240cm)
Spacing 72" – 96" (180cm – 240cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers, Wall-Side Borders, Walls and Fences
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden

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nnattalli, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 7 – 9
Heat Zones 7 – 8
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Camellia
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Fall
Winter
Height 6' – 8' (180cm – 240cm)
Spread 6' – 8' (180cm – 240cm)
Spacing 72" – 96" (180cm – 240cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers, Wall-Side Borders, Walls and Fences
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden

Guides with Camellia

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