- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Camellia japonica 'Hawaii' is an evergreen shrub known for its soft pink peony form flowers with distinctively fringed and ruffled petals. The blooms are large and lightly scented, carried against glossy mid to dark green foliage. Growth is upright and dense, settling into a rounded shrub that carries structure through every month of the year.
It prefers a sheltered position in filtered light, with rich, slightly acidic soil that drains freely and stays evenly moist. Cool and warm temperate zones suit it best, as do highland subtropical gardens. Light to moderate frost is not a problem for established plants. Expect about 20 to 50 cm of new growth each year.
This one earns its place in sheltered courtyards, shaded entries and mixed borders where a flowering shrub needs to stay presentable year round. Its density also makes it useful as a soft informal screen. For a buyer, the appeal is a plant that gives winter flowers and permanent green with very little intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Hawaii Camellia
What is Camellia japonica 'Hawaii'?
It is a Japanese camellia cultivar with large, soft pink peony form blooms whose petals are deeply fringed at the edges. The flowers carry a light fragrance, which is unusual among japonica types. The plant is a dense evergreen shrub with glossy foliage, grown across southern Australia for its winter flowering.
How fast does Hawaii Camellia grow?
It puts on roughly 20 to 50 cm of new growth a year, which is moderate for a shrub and slow compared with most screening plants. That pace is part of the appeal, since it holds its shape for years without constant cutting back. Good soil preparation and reliable watering early on lift the growth rate noticeably.
Where does it grow best in Australia?
Cool and warm temperate gardens suit it best, so Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Canberra, Hobart and the surrounding regions all work. It also performs in elevated subtropical areas such as the Blue Mountains and the Southern Highlands. Hot dry inland districts and the wet tropics are harder, since it dislikes both heat stress and constant humidity.
Is it evergreen or deciduous?
Evergreen. It holds glossy foliage right through the year and never drops the lot at once. Older leaves shed gradually and are replaced by fresh growth in spring, so the plant always looks clothed. That reliability is why camellias are so often used where a permanent green mass is needed in a design.
What soil does it need?
It wants a rich, free draining soil on the acidic side, ideally around pH 5.5 to 6.5. Heavy clay needs opening up with compost and gypsum, or the plant is better off in a raised bed. Alkaline soils cause yellowing between the leaf veins. A thick organic mulch keeps the root zone cool and steady.
How far apart should I plant it for a screen?
Space plants 1.2 to 1.5 metres apart centre to centre for a solid informal screen. Closer than that and the shrubs compete without filling in any faster. Given the moderate growth rate, starting with larger, more advanced plants makes a real difference to how quickly the line closes over.
How do I care for Hawaii Camellia?
Water deeply through summer, especially while buds are forming, and mulch to hold moisture. Feed once after flowering with a camellia and azalea fertiliser, then again in late summer if growth looks tired. Prune lightly when the last flowers fall to shape the plant and open up the centre for airflow.
