James H. Schutte
Family
Theaceae
Botanical Name
CAMELLIA japonica 'R.L. Wheeler'
Plant Common Name
Camellia, Japanese Camellia, R.L. Wheeler Camellia
General Description
The cultivar ‘R. L. Wheeler’ is very popular and has won many awards. It is fast-growing for a camellia, cold hardy and has an upright to spreading habit. Large semi-double to anemone form blooms of rose pink with occasional white variegated petals in the middle appear mid-season (late winter). Anemone-form camellia blooms have at least one row of overlapping petals surrounding a loose mass of smaller, upright petals interlaced with gold reproductive structures in the center of the flowers.
Treasured in eastern Asia for centuries, Camellia was brought to the western world by Jesuit missionary and botanist Georg Joseph Kamel, for whom it is named. It is a large, broadleaf evergreen shrub to small tree, which has an upright to spreading habit and attractive smooth gray branches furnished with oval, glossy, toothed, dark green leaves. From late winter to early spring, it bears large, waxy flowers which are excellent for cutting.
Camellia prefers partial sun to partial shade but will tolerate full sun once established, though sunscald may be a problem. The soil should be moist, acid and well-drained. This plant is notoriously slow-growing, slow to establish and shallow rooted. A thick layer of organic mulch will protect the roots and facilitate better growth. Regular irrigation and applications of fertilizer promote good growth and flowering, though plants will tolerate periods of drought. Prune after flowering, just before new growth starts in the spring. Selective, light pruning and shaping is recommended and shearing is not. Camellia do not recover well from harsh pruning practices.
These shrubs can be cold sensitive, so do not plant where they are not hardy. The evergreen leaves and tender flower buds may suffer from sunscald and wind desiccation in winter, so avoid planting it in highly exposed areas. In the landscape, camellia may be used in hedges, foundations, mixed borders or as a specimen plant.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 9
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Sunset Zone
H1, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Broadleaf Evergreen
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
10'-15' / 3.0m - 4.6m
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Width
8'-15' / 2.4m - 4.6m
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Bloom Time
Late Winter
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Native To
China, Japan, Korea
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Loam
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Red
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Fruit Color
Black
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Dark Green
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Bark Color
Tan, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Semi-Double
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Container, Cutflower, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
