The Christmas Carol Camellia is an exciting new selection from the Southern Living Plant Collection! This variety is a hybrid of Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua, and the result is something truly fantastic. Its blooms are semi-double and soft red with white edges and golden stamen in the center. These blooms stand out in the landscape, and really compliment the colors of the holiday season! The hybrid nature of the Christmas Carol means that it has an extended bloom period. Expect it to start blooming in fall and continue through the Christmas season.
The foliage falls somewhere between the flatter, darker Sasanqua leaves and the robust and glossy Japonica leaves. These leaves are dark green, notably pointed, and leathery with a slightly serrated edge.
The growth is not characteristically upright, like Camellia japonica. Instead, it tends to have less rigid growth, even semi-weeping in some instances.
The Christmas Carol Camellia reaches a mature size of 5-7′ H x 3-5′ W.
Use the Christmas Carol Camellia as an accent, hedge, mass planting, privacy planting, or even in a large container. Plant a long row of them on your property line for an impressive fall flower display that is just as functional as it is beautiful.
Check out a couple of other exciting new Southern Living Plant Collection varieties, the Early Wonder Camellia and the October Magic White Shi Shi Camellia. Additionally, take a look at another hybrid Camellia, the Egao Corkscrew Camellia.
Hardy from USDA Zones 7-9, and down to 0°F once completely situated in the landscape.
Plant in Full Sun to Part Shade for best results, 3-4 hours of direct sun or all-day filtered sun. Too little sun results in decreased bloom and foliage growth.
Water 2-3 times per week during the first growing season. Reduce watering to 1-2 times per week in the second growing season. Afterward, provide supplemental water in times of extreme drought and heat.
Fertilize once or twice yearly with an acidic plant fertilizer, or an organic acidic plant fertilizer.
The Christmas Carol Camellia has temperature-sensitive roots. So we recommend applying 3-4 inches of mulch around the plant yearly.
Space your Christmas Carol Camellias 2.5 feet apart from center to center for a seamless planting. Plant them 5+ feet apart for space between plantings.
Cd (verified owner) –
I got my plant in October. One flower just bloomed (January), lasted for 3 days. It looked just like on the picture. Beautiful and big. I live in zone 7, Northern VA. I took my plant inside 2 weeks ago to avoid the snow and cold weather below 32F . the first bud opened. There are more buds on the plant. I don’t know if I left it outside, it would bloom in the freezing cold weather or not.
mastergardener6606 (verified owner) –
This is such a gorgeous bloom. I am so thrilled with the color.
Gary (verified owner) –
After I ordered them, I discovered they are 1/3 the price at Home Depot. Plants By Mail ignored my request to cancel my order.
Team PBM –
When an order is expected to be delivered the same day as the cancellation request, cancellation is not possible. As long as your order is still in house we don’t mind cancelling it for you. Please be aware of orders you make and don’t order until you are sure it is what you want.
Robbie S Wigginton (verified owner) –
Plant arrived in timely manner, well packaged, and healthy. Waiting for blooms.
fulmerwillis (verified owner) –
Looks great right out of the box. Planted it near the front door so we can enjoy cheery blooms in the fall and through the holidays in years to come. We are very excited to see the red and white flowers!
Scott (verified owner) –
Shipment happened very quickly. Plants arrived in excellent condition. Packaging was the best I have experienced. Looking forward to these in my landscape for years!
YvonneNC (verified owner) –
Plant arrived looking very healthy and with lots of flower buds. My first time ordering from Plants by Mail and I am very pleased with the quality.
mastergardener6606 (verified owner) –
Plant was packaged well and full of buds. Love the quality of the camellia. Would order again.
hrogers403 (verified owner) –
Plant arrived healthy, and well packaged
So far, it is doing great.
Sindy (verified owner) –
Very healthy & packaging was great, I even have new growth. Look forward to the first bloom.
mgauker (verified owner) –
Very healthy! Many buds forming. Can’t wait to see the blooms this fall!
Kim (verified owner) –
Shipment was quick. Plant arrived in excellent condition. Can’t wait to see it in bloom.
Libby Perry (verified owner) –
Very healthy looking. Packaging was superb. Won’t know how they perform until next year.