Camellia japonica ‘Don Mac’

Gracing American gardens for decades, Camellia japonica ‘Don Mac’ achieved instant popularity when it was released in the 1950s. Each large semi-double bloom, 5.5 in. wide (13 cm), boasts 21 dark red, crepe-like, crinkled petals enclosing prominent golden stamens in the blossom’s center. The flowers are profusely produced over a fairly long period extending from early to late season (November to April in the Northern Hemisphere; April to September in the Southern Hemisphere). Forming an attractive dense, pyramidal shrub, this Japanese camellia adds year-round interest to the garden with its evergreen, leathery, dark-green, 4 in. leaves (10 cm).

• This evergreen shrub has an upright oval habit and grows at an average growth rate up to 10-15 ft. tall (300-450 cm) and 5-10 ft. wide (150-300 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 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 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).