Camellia japonica ‘April Blush’

Compact and extremely cold-hardy, Camellia japonica ‘April Blush’ is a lovely Japanese camellia with masses of large, semi-double, rose to shell-pink flowers with yellow anthers and cream filaments. The blooms are produced over a fairly long period in the mid-late season. They contrast beautifully with the evergreen foliage of lustrous, glossy dark green leaves and smooth gray bark. This luminous camellia hybrid belongs to the April Series introduced by Dr. Clifford Parks and can be successfully grown in regions as cold as USDA Zone 6b.

• Slow-growing, this evergreen shrub has an upright to rounded form. Grows up to 4-10 ft. tall (120-300 cm) with a spread of 4-6 ft. (120-240 cm)
• A part shade lover, this plant is best grown in consistently moist, acidic, organically rich, well-drained soils. Provide a site sheltered from cold, dry winds, as buds and flowers may be damaged by cold winds. Protect from the early morning sun and the direct hot summer afternoon sun.
• Camellias are susceptible to some viruses and fungal diseases, including leaf spots, anthracnose, black mold, petal blight, canker, and root rot. Watch also for aphids, planthoppers, and spider mites.
• Mass in mixed shrub borders for dramatic winter blooms. Great flowering shrub for woodland gardens or as a 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 control size and shape.