- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Camellia japonica 'Courtesan' is an evergreen shrub with formal double flowers in soft pink, the petals arranged in even overlapping rows. Leaves are broad, glossy and deep green, held densely enough to read as a solid wall of foliage. Growth is upright and rounded, thickening into a shapely shrub as the plant ages.
Filtered light suits it best, with shelter from hot afternoon sun and drying wind. Plant into acidic, humus rich soil that drains freely and stays cool under mulch. It grows well in cool to warm temperate districts, tolerates light to moderate frost once settled, and puts on 20 to 50 centimetres a year.
Use it in shaded borders under established trees, along a fence line in a townhouse garden, or as a repeated planting either side of a path. The neat outline suits formal beds and low informal hedging. For a buyer, it delivers reliable winter colour in positions where flowering options are limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Courtesan Camellia
What is a Courtesan Camellia?
Courtesan is an evergreen shrub grown for formal double flowers in soft pink, produced through winter and spring. The petals sit in even overlapping rows with no visible stamens. Foliage is broad, glossy and dark green, and the plant forms a dense upright bush that carries structure all year round.
How fast does Courtesan Camellia grow?
It adds 20 to 50 centimetres a year once established, which puts it in the moderate range. The first two seasons are slower while the root system develops. Growth is quicker in warm temperate gardens with steady moisture, and slower in cold districts or dry, compacted soil. Regular mulching noticeably improves the rate.
Where does Courtesan Camellia grow best in Australia?
It suits cool and warm temperate zones, which covers Tasmania, Victoria, the ACT, coastal and tableland New South Wales, the Adelaide Hills and the cooler parts of south west Western Australia. It also grows in south east Queensland in shaded positions. Hot arid inland areas and the wet tropics are not suitable.
Is Courtesan Camellia evergreen or deciduous?
Evergreen. It holds glossy dark foliage through all four seasons and does not drop its leaves in autumn. Older leaves are shed gradually through the year and the change usually goes unnoticed. This makes it useful where year round cover is needed, such as screening a fence line or softening a blank wall.
How far apart should I plant Courtesan Camellia for a hedge?
Space plants 1 to 1.2 metres apart, centre to centre, for a solid informal hedge. Closer spacing at 800 millimetres closes the gaps faster but increases competition for water and nutrients. Trim lightly after flowering each year to encourage branching. Allow four to six years for a continuous face at this spacing.
Is Camellia japonica safe around pets and children?
Camellia japonica is not listed as toxic to dogs, cats or people, and it is one of the safer flowering shrubs for a family garden. The leaves and flowers are not harmful if chewed, though no garden plant should be eaten deliberately. There are no thorns and no irritant sap to worry about.
How do I care for a Courtesan Camellia?
Keep the root zone mulched and moist, especially from December through February when next season's buds are forming. Feed with an acid plant fertiliser once flowering finishes in spring. Prune only to shape, straight after the last flowers drop, since later cuts remove developing buds. Watch for scale on the undersides of leaves.
