Camellia Japonica Apple Blossom

Camellia Japonica Apple Blossom is an established evergreen camellia variety with abundant palest pink semi-double flowers in early to mid-spring. It grows in a neat, upright habit so it’s perfect for growing in large plant containers and acidic flower borders.

Camellia Japonicas are evergreen shrubs or small trees that originate from Japan and most of the Far East. The first living camellia was brought to Europe by Robert James of Essex in 1739 but they have illustrated Eastern ceramics since the 11^th century. Because they’ve been in cultivation for a long time, there are thousands of camellia varieties, but Camellia Apple Blossom is loved for its flowers that resemble apple blossom, hence its name. These flat, rose-shaped flowers are 6-8 cms in width with lovely light pink double petals that fade to almost white in the centre. They have long, floaty yellow stamens and are very free-flowering covering the shrub in early to mid-spring.

Camellia Apple Blossom was introduced in 1927 as Joy Sander and is synonymous with this original name. It shouldn’t be confused with the similarly named ‘Apple Blossom’ from Nuccio’s Nurseries which is a Williamsii hybrid, not a Japonica.

Camellia Apple Blossom is a pale-flowered pretty camellia with a long-established history that’s dark green pointed oval leaves look good all year round.

Height And Spread of Camellia Japonica Apple Blossom
Camellia Apple Blossom is a mid-sized upright camellia that reaches a maximum height and spread of 2.5 metres.

How Hardy Is Camellia Japonica Apple Blossom
Camellia Japonica is hardy in minus temperatures if its roots are well-drained, but the buds need protection against late spring frost.

How To Use Camellia Japonica Apple Blossom
Camella Apple Blossom is a low maintenance evergreen with pale modern flowers in spring. It’s a great choice for urban gardens as a focal point or in a flower border of acid-loving plants such as Rhododendrons and Azaleas. where it provides year-round green and its pale pink flowers don’t clash with primary colours or bright schemes.

If you have a balcony garden, a courtyard, deck, or patio Camellia Apple Blossom can be grown successfully in a large well-watered and fed container to perk up a dull space.

Versatile, easy to grow camellias also suit woodland gardens, Japanese themes, rock gardens and gravel gardens.

How To Care For Camellia Japonica Apple Blossom
Camellias need acidic soil to thrive. Their leaves will yellow and they’ll fail to flower in alkaline conditions, so bulk up the planting hole with ericaceous compost and ensure you top up regularly with pine or bracken-based mulch to boost the acidic conditions. Container grown camellia do well in ericaceous compost with the container propped up on feet to help drainage.

Choose a sheltered, frost-free spot in full shade or partial shade because hot sunshine scorches its leaves. A west, north or east facing position is best.

If a late frost is forecast, it’s best to cover the shrub with horticultural fleece because frost damages flower buds and prevents flowering.

Pruning isn’t necessary unless you want to restrict its height, in which case cut back new growth after the flowers have finished. Water well until it’s established and apply acidic mulch each year in spring.