Christmas Candy Camellia
Camellia x vernalis ‘Christmas Candy’
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7b-9b (7a?) Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub
Species: Japonica (Winter, Spring blooming)
Height at Maturity: 8-12′
Width at Maturity: 6-8′
Spacing: 5-6′ for solid hedges; 12’+ for space between plants
Spacing: 5-6′ for solid hedges; 12’+ for space between plants
Growth Rate: Vigorous
Flower Color: Variable, Dark to Light Coral Pink with thin to wide White petal margins
Flower Size: 3-4″
Flowering Period: Winter to Late Winter
Flower Type: Semi-Double
Fragrant Flowers:
Foliage Color: Dark Green
Fragrant Foliage: –
Berries: –
Berry Color: –
Sun Needs: Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade or Filtered Sun, All Day Filtered Sun
Water Needs: Average, Lower when established
Soil Type: Clay (well-draining), Loam, Sandy, Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Damp to Moist But Well Drained
Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5 (Acid)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Resistances: Deer – more info, Drought (when established), Heat, Humidity
Intolerances: Direct Afternoon Sun, Constantly Soggy Soil
Attracts: Visual Attention
Description
A unique hybrid selection, the Christmas Candy Camellia features LOADS of cute, semi-double flowers with variable, cheery dark to light coral-pink petals with thin to wide white picotee margins surrounding a cylindrical cluster of soft yellow stamens. The flowers are produced in such abundance that even when the petals drop, they create a beautiful carpet of color on the ground. Contrasting beautifully against the deep green evergreen foliage, depending on the weather, the flower buds begin opening during mid to late winter in our north-central Georgia location, making it one of a handful of plants in bloom at this time of year. A vigorous upright grower with a somewhat spreading habit reaching 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, Christmas Candy can be grown as a shrub that’s full to the ground, or lower branches can be removed to a desired height, forming a highly attractive small tree. The flowers can be enjoyed indoors by cutting and displaying several in a vase or floral arrangement. One of those plants that will always have you looking forward to winter!
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 8 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, the Christmas Candy Camellia is ideal for use as an accent specimen in partially shaded smaller garden spaces and home foundation plantings. Where space allows in larger landscape or woodland borders, it can be grouped or planted as a hedge. Avoid direct afternoon sunlight. It is especially nice as an espalier (trained to grow flat against a wall) in home foundation plantings. Lower branches can be removed as the plant grows to form a highly attractive and colorful small tree excellent for use as a focal point specimen. A fine addition to Camellia gardens, cottage gardens, cut flower gardens, Asian gardens, and woodland borders.
Suggested Spacing: 5 to 6 feet apart for solid hedge; 10 feet or more apart for space between plants
Growing Preferences
Camellia adapt well to various soil types however prefer a moist but well-drained acidic soil that is rich in organic matter. Constantly soggy soil is a slow killer. In general, Camellia grows and blooms better in partial shade with some shelter from the hot afternoon sun. Morning sun with afternoon shade or filtered sunlight is perfect. All-day filtered sun is fine.
Helpful Articles
Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Camellias.
Planting Camellias
Pruning Camellias
How To Fertilize & Water Camellias
How To Espalier Plants & Trees
*Espalier (pronounced: ih-spal-yay) …an ornamental shrub or tree that has been trained to grow flat against a wall, fence, or other vertical, flat surface.
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