- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Camellia japonica ‘Ace of Hearts’ is an evergreen shrub with a dense, upright, rounded habit and thick glossy dark green leaves. The defining feature is the flower, a deep clear red formal bloom with neatly ranked petals, carried from winter into spring against foliage that holds its colour all year.
Give it partial shade or filtered morning sun, with shelter from hot afternoon westerlies. It wants slightly acidic, humus rich, free draining soil and steady moisture while it establishes. Growth runs at roughly 20 to 50 cm a year. Established plants handle light to moderate frost and suit cool and warm temperate gardens.
Use it as a feature shrub in a courtyard, an evergreen anchor in a shaded border, or a repeated planting along a shaded fence line. It also does well in a large pot near a sheltered entry. In a small garden it delivers winter flower and year round structure from a single plant.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Ace of Hearts Camellia
What is Camellia japonica ‘Ace of Hearts’?
It is a named cultivar of the Japanese camellia, an evergreen shrub in the Theaceae family. It carries formal double flowers in a deep, clear red through winter and early spring, held against dense glossy foliage. The habit is upright and rounded, so the plant reads as tidy and structural even when it is not in flower.
How big does Ace of Hearts Camellia grow?
In an open garden bed it reaches roughly 2 to 3 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide, and it takes many years to get there. Pruning straight after flowering keeps it smaller if you need it held in scale. Plants grown in containers stay well below those figures because the root run is limited.
When does it flower?
Flowering runs from winter into spring, broadly June through to October depending on where you are. Cooler districts start later and finish later than warm coastal gardens. The buds open in sequence rather than all at once, so one plant carries colour for several weeks instead of a single short burst.
Does it need sun or shade?
Partial shade or filtered morning sun suits it best. Hot afternoon sun scorches the leaves and shortens the life of each bloom, while deep shade cuts flowering back. A position under a high open canopy, or on the eastern side of a building or fence, gives the balance of light and shelter it prefers.
Is it frost tolerant?
Yes. Once established it takes light to moderate frost without damage, which covers most cool temperate gardens in southern Australia. Young plants in their first winter benefit from shelter or a temporary cover if you are in a frost hollow. Open flowers can brown at the edges after a heavy frost, though the plant itself is unharmed.
Can it grow in pots?
Yes, it is a reliable container plant. Use a pot at least 40 to 50 cm across with a quality mix formulated for camellias and azaleas. Containers dry out quickly over summer, so water regularly and feed once flowering finishes. Repot or root prune every three to four years to keep the plant in good health.
How do I care for Ace of Hearts Camellia?
Mulch with leaf litter or composted bark, keeping it clear of the trunk, and water deeply through dry spells. Feed with an acid loving plant fertiliser after flowering ends in spring. Prune lightly at the same time to shape it. Watch for scale insects and the sooty mould that follows them, and treat with horticultural oil.
