- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Camellia japonica ‘C.M. Wilson’ is an evergreen shrub with pale pink anemone form flowers, a flat outer row of petals around a raised centre of ruffled petaloids. Foliage is glossy, mid to dark green and densely held. The habit is upright, spreading a little wider as the plant matures.
It grows about 20 to 50 cm a year in filtered light, with acidic, humus rich soil and reliable moisture through summer. Shelter from hot afternoon sun keeps the pale flowers from marking. Established plants handle light to moderate frost, which makes the variety workable through cool temperate and warm temperate Australia.
The soft colour suits shaded courtyards, understorey planting and pots beside a covered entry. It sits comfortably alongside rhododendrons, gardenias and clivias in the same bed. For a buyer after quiet winter colour rather than a bold statement, it does the job with very little ongoing intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions
About C.M. Wilson Camellia
What is Camellia japonica ‘C.M. Wilson’?
It is a long established japonica camellia cultivar with large anemone form flowers in a pale blush pink. The outer petals lie flat and the centre is a raised mass of ruffled petaloids. The plant is an evergreen shrub with glossy foliage, often used where a soft rather than assertive flower colour is wanted.
How big does C.M. Wilson Camellia grow?
Around 2 to 3 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide when mature and left unpruned, which takes well over a decade. It is naturally somewhat spreading, so allow room at the sides. A light prune each year after flowering will hold it comfortably at 1.5 metres if space is limited.
When does it flower?
Winter into spring, typically from June through to September. Flowering is heavy in a good year, with blooms opening in succession across several weeks. In warmer coastal gardens the season starts earlier and finishes sooner, while cold districts flower later but often hold their blooms in better condition for longer.
Is it drought tolerant?
Not especially. It manages ordinary dry spells once established in shaded, well mulched soil, but it is not a plant for an unirrigated hot site. The critical period is late summer, when the plant sets buds for the coming winter. Water deeply through January and February or you will get a thin display.
Does it have invasive roots?
No. The root system is fibrous, shallow and non aggressive, which is why camellias are commonly planted close to paving, paths and buildings without concern. The flip side is that those surface roots resent digging and compete poorly with grass, so mulch the area beneath the plant rather than underplanting it heavily.
Can it grow in pots?
Yes, it is well suited to container growing and is often used that way beside sheltered entries. Use a pot of at least 45 cm diameter with a camellia and azalea potting mix. Keep the water up in summer, feed monthly through the growing season, and repot or root prune every three to four years.
How do I care for C.M. Wilson Camellia?
Mulch the root zone, water deeply through dry weather, and feed with an acid loving plant fertiliser once flowering ends. Prune lightly at that point to keep it shapely. Rake up fallen petals to limit petal blight, and inspect leaf undersides for scale, treating with horticultural oil at the first sign.
