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Camellia japonica ‘Desire’

Camellia 'Desire', 'Desire' Camellia, Fall Blooming Camellias, Winter Blooming Camellias, Spring Blooming Camellias, Early to Mid Season Camellias

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Camellia Japonica 'Desire', Camellia 'Desire', 'Desire' Camellia, Fall Blooming Camellias, Winter Blooming Camellias, Spring Blooming Camellias, Early to Mid Season Camellias, Pink Camellias, Pink Flowers

Vigorous and incredibly beautiful, Camellia japonica ‘Desire’ features large, 4 in. wide (10), formal double flowers, counting up to 60 petals. The pure white to pale blush pink petals are delicately edged with a deeper pink. The elegant flowers hold well on the bush and contrast nicely against the glossy, dark green, evergreen foliage. The blooms are produced over several months in early to mid-season, in such profusion that this camellia becomes one of the glories of the spring garden when in full bloom. Out of bloom, this camellia remains particularly handsome and provides the perfect foil for foundation plantings and perennial borders.

  • A fast grower, this evergreen shrub has an upright habit and grows up to 10 ft. tall and wide (300 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 the early morning sun and from the 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 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.

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.

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 Theaceae
Genus Camellia
Common names Camellia, Japanese Camellia
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early), Fall, Winter
Height 8' - 10' (240cm - 3m)
Spread 8' - 10' (240cm - 3m)
Spacing 120" (3m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
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
Tolerance Full Shade
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Camellia sinensis (Tea Plant)
Camellia sasanqua ‘Shishigashira’
Camellia sasanqua ‘Plantation Pink’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Debbie’
Camellia x williamsii ‘E.G. Waterhouse’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Les Jury’

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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.
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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 Theaceae
Genus Camellia
Common names Camellia, Japanese Camellia
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early), Fall, Winter
Height 8' - 10' (240cm - 3m)
Spread 8' - 10' (240cm - 3m)
Spacing 120" (3m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
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
Tolerance Full Shade
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Camellia
Not sure which Camellia to pick?
Compare Now

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