- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Camellia japonica ‘Black Magic’ is an evergreen shrub carrying dark red formal double flowers that deepen almost to black in low light. The blooms are heavy textured and long lasting. Foliage is glossy, slightly wavy and very dark green, and the plant builds a dense upright shape with a rounded top.
Give it partial shade, consistent moisture and acidic, well drained soil with plenty of compost worked through beforehand. Growth is moderate, roughly 20 to 50 cm a year. It takes light to moderate frost once established and performs in cool temperate, warm temperate and sheltered coastal gardens through southern and eastern Australia.
Site it where the flower will be seen close up, beside a path, near a doorway, or in a large glazed pot on a shaded terrace. It also holds its own in a mixed shrub border that needs a dark, quiet anchor. Strong winter interest from a plant that stays presentable the rest of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Black Magic Camellia
What is Camellia japonica ‘Black Magic’?
It is a japonica camellia cultivar grown for very dark red, almost black toned formal double flowers and unusually dark wavy foliage. The plant is an evergreen shrub of moderate size, suited to shaded and half shaded positions. Among the darker camellias it is one of the more widely planted selections in Australia.
How big does Black Magic Camellia grow?
Allow around 2 to 3 metres in height and 1.5 to 2 metres in width at maturity, achieved slowly. It can be kept considerably smaller with a light trim each year after the flowers finish. In a container it will typically settle at 1 to 1.5 metres and stay there with occasional root pruning.
Does it need sun or shade?
Half shade is the sweet spot, with morning sun and afternoon protection. Dark flowers absorb heat and will burn faster than pale ones in full afternoon sun. Too much shade, on the other hand, produces a leggy plant with sparse buds. Filtered light under a high canopy gives both good form and good flowering.
Is it suitable for coastal positions?
It suits sheltered coastal gardens but not exposed frontline sites. Camellias dislike constant salt laden wind, which burns the leaf margins and dries the plant out. Behind a fence, a wall, or a hardier windbreak such as westringia or coastal banksia, it performs well in coastal soils provided they are improved with organic matter.
When does it flower?
The main flush runs through winter and into spring, roughly June to September in most districts. Buds open a few at a time over many weeks. Cold weather slows the opening and extends the season, while a warm spell late in winter can bring the whole display forward by several weeks.
Can it grow in pots?
Yes. Choose a pot at least 45 cm wide with generous drainage holes and use a camellia and azalea potting mix rather than a general purpose one. Water consistently through summer, since a dry pot in February means dropped buds in July. Liquid feed monthly through the growing season and repot every few years.
How do I care for Black Magic Camellia?
Mulch the root zone with composted bark, water deeply rather than frequently, and feed with an acidic fertiliser once flowering ends. Prune lightly at that point to hold the shape. Pick up fallen petals to reduce petal blight, and keep an eye out for scale insects on stems and leaf undersides.
