- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Camellia japonica ‘Bob Hope’ is an evergreen shrub grown for its exceptionally large blooms, deep red semi double to formal double flowers that can reach 12 cm across. Foliage is thick, dark and glossy. The plant is upright and dense, filling out into a rounded shrub as it matures.
It performs in filtered sun or half shade with protection from hot wind, in acidic, organically rich soil that drains freely. Growth is steady at roughly 20 to 50 cm a year. Established plants take light to moderate frost. Cool temperate and warm temperate districts give the longest and cleanest flowering season.
The flower size makes it a plant for close viewing, so it earns a place near a path, courtyard or window rather than the back of a bed. It is also a favourite for picking, since a single bloom floats well in a shallow bowl. Good garden structure and cut flowers from the same plant.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Bob Hope Camellia
What is Camellia japonica ‘Bob Hope’?
It is a japonica camellia cultivar known for producing some of the largest flowers in the group, deep red and heavily textured, up to about 12 cm across. The plant itself is a standard evergreen camellia shrub with dark glossy leaves. It is grown for the flower rather than for its foliage or form.
How big does Bob Hope Camellia grow?
In the garden it reaches around 2 to 3 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide over time. It is easily kept smaller with an annual trim after flowering. The plant is naturally upright, so if you want width you will need to shorten leading shoots to encourage branching lower down.
How fast does it grow?
Around 20 to 50 cm a year, slowing as the plant reaches full size. Growth is quicker in warm humid conditions with good soil and slower in cold or dry sites. Expect a young plant to take three or four seasons to look established, and longer again to reach its final dimensions.
Is it evergreen or deciduous?
It is evergreen. The foliage stays on the plant year round, and older leaves are shed a few at a time rather than all at once. This makes it useful in beds that need to look furnished through winter, which is also when the flowers arrive, so the plant is at its best in the cold months.
Is it frost tolerant?
Yes, to light and moderate frost once established. It suits frosty inland districts such as Canberra, Orange and the Southern Highlands provided it has some overhead protection. Large open blooms can be marked by a severe frost, so a spot under a tree canopy or a north facing eave keeps the display cleaner.
Is it safe around pets and children?
Camellias are not listed as toxic to dogs, cats or horses, and the japonica camellia is generally regarded as safe in family gardens. As with any plant, eating quantities of leaves is not advisable and children should be discouraged from it. There are no thorns, irritant sap or spines to worry about.
How do I care for Bob Hope Camellia?
Water deeply through summer, especially in January and February when next season's buds are forming, and mulch to keep the surface roots cool. Feed with a camellia and azalea fertiliser after flowering. Prune lightly at the same time. If a plant sets too many buds, thin them to get larger individual flowers.
