Japanese Camellia
Camellia japonica
Theaceae · broadleaf evergreen shrub · introduced
Last updated
This profile synthesizes data from multiple published sources. Expert field review is in progress.
Japanese camellia (Camellia japonica, Theaceae) is a slow-growing evergreen shrub from Japan and China, found wild in forests at 300 to 1,100 meters elevation. It typically reaches 10 to 15 feet tall with a dense pyramidal form. Alternate, simple, ovate to elliptic leaves (2.5 to 10 centimeters) are dark lustrous green and leathery with serrate margins. Flowers range from 6 to 13 centimeters across in forms including single, semidouble, formal double, and peony types, in colors spanning white, pink, rose, and red. Bloom occurs from early winter to spring.
Japanese camellia grows in sun to part shade (part shade preferred) on moist, acid, organic, well-drained soil (pH 5.0 to 6.5), hardy in Zones 7b to 8b. It blooms on old wood and should be pruned immediately after flowering. Over 2,000 cultivars have been bred, including 'April Remembered,' 'Kramer,' 'Marie Bracey,' and 'Nuccio.' Disease pressure is significant: 12 associations are documented, including flower and petal blight, leaf gall, Ramorum leaf and shoot blight, sooty mold, and cold injury. Pest associations include cottony camellia scale, brown soft scale, aphids, root weevils, and black citrus aphid.
Quick Facts
Phenological Calendar
As of April 23, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1434.4 to 1592.7 GDD₃₂. Japanese Camellia has passed 'full bloom' (770 GDD₃₂).
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Apr 23, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 1,593 | 'Full bloom' | — | — |
| Seattle / UW | 1,554 | 'Full bloom' | — | — |
| Kent / Auburn | 1,537 | 'Full bloom' | — | — |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 1,505 | 'Full bloom' | — | — |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,483 | 'Full bloom' | — | — |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,472 | 'Full bloom' | — | — |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,434 | 'Full bloom' | — | — |
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| 'First bloom' BBCH '61' | 508 | '' |
| ● 'Full bloom' BBCH '65' NOW | 770 | '' |
GDD = Growing Degree Days (base 32°F, Jan 1 start). Why base 32? Source GDD₅₀ thresholds from Herms 2004 (OSU, Secrest Arboretum, Ohio) and UMD IPMnet (Gill & Klick, mid-Atlantic), converted to GDD₃₂ via Kent bloom-date mapping. Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Apr 23, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through May 9, 2026, then climate normals.