Camellia japonica 'Kingyo-tsubaki' – Fishtail Camellia

$1,730.00

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Size: 200L

200L

Current Stock Height Guides

200L: Contact for a height guide.

*** Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons.No guarantee is giventhat supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal andis not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

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About Camellia japonica 'Kingyo-tsubaki' – Fishtail Camellia

Camellia japonica 'Kingyo-tsubaki', the Fishtail Camellia, is an upright evergreen shrub distinguished by uniquely forked, fishtail-shaped foliage. Each leaf is split at the tip into a clear double-lobed form, creating year-round textural interest. Single pink flowers appear in late winter through early spring. Habit is upright and well-branched, with a moderate growth rate.

Performs best in morning sun to part shade with well-drained, slightly acidic soils enriched with organic matter. Frost tolerant once established and suited to cool temperate, warm temperate, and protected coastal positions. Drought tolerant once established, with occasional deep watering supporting flowering and foliage during extended dry periods. Light pruning after flowering helps maintain shape.

They look excellent as a specimen shrub in courtyards, sheltered entry plantings, raised beds, and large decorative containers where the unusual foliage form can be appreciated. Commonly specified by collectors and designers for textural interest and dense evergreen structure in residential and commercial landscapes.

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Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Camellia japonica 'Kingyo-tsubaki' – Fishtail Camellia is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 2 m – 3 m

Mature Width: 1.5 m – 2 m

Camellia japonica 'Kingyo-tsubaki' – Fishtail Camellia is expected to grow 20 – 40 cm per year (slow to moderate).

Frost Tolerance

Is Camellia japonica 'Kingyo-tsubaki' – Fishtail Camellia frost tolerant?

Camellia japonica 'Kingyo-tsubaki' – Fishtail Camellia is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Flowering Information

Camellia japonica 'Kingyo-tsubaki' produces single pink flowers from late winter through early spring. The blooms are subtle, with the main ornamental display being the uniquely forked fishtail-shaped foliage that holds year-round.

Native Information

Is Camellia japonica 'Kingyo-tsubaki' – Fishtail Camellia an Australian Native? No

Camellia japonica 'Kingyo-tsubaki' – Fishtail Camellia is Native to Native to Japan and eastern Asia. 'Kingyo-tsubaki' is an old Japanese cultivar selected for its unique fishtail-shaped foliage.

Wildlife Value

Its late winter to spring flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and beneficial pollinators when many other plants are dormant. The dense evergreen canopy offers year-round shelter and habitat for small birds and insects.

Sunlight Information

Camellia japonica 'Kingyo-tsubaki' – Fishtail Camellia will thrive best in:

Part Shade

Preffered Soil

Camellia japonica 'Kingyo-tsubaki' performs best in moist, well-drained loamy soils with slightly acidic pH and consistent organic matter. Mulch keeps root conditions cool. Avoid alkaline or persistently waterlogged conditions, which reduce flowering and foliage vigour.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Fishtail Camellia

Genus: Camellia

Botanical Species: japonica

Family: Theaceae

Botanical Name: Camellia japonica 'Kingyo-tsubaki'

Landscape Uses

Feature Tree
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots

Camellia japonica 'Kingyo-tsubaki' – Fishtail Camellia works in an:

Japanese Inspired – serene balance of form, foliage, and flow.
Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Planting, Spacing & Care

Select a part-shade position with morning sun and shelter from harsh afternoon sun.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball.
Backfill with native soil amended with compost; water in well.
Mulch to 75 mm depth, kept clear of the trunk.

Hedging & Screening: Not typically used for hedging.

Feature Shrub: Plant 1.5 m – 2 m apart in beds, courtyards, or pots.

Avenue Planting: Not suitable.

Watering: Maintain even moisture through summer; reduce in winter.
Pruning: Light shaping after flowering only.
Mulching: Maintain a 75 mm mulch ring.
Feeding: Apply camellia-specific fertiliser in spring and early autumn.

Loam soils: Ideal. Balanced drainage and fertility.
Sandy soils: Improve with compost and mulch.
Clay soils: Improve drainage with organic matter and gypsum.
Acidic soils: Preferred. Maintain pH 5.5 – 6.5 for best foliage and flowering.

Camellia japonica 'Kingyo-tsubaki' – Fishtail Camellia is expected to grow 20 – 40 cm per year (slow to moderate).

Medium Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Ideal Conditions

Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Hills & Barossa
Adelaide Metro & Coastal

Thrives in

Part Shade

Frost Tolerance

Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Drought Tolerance

During establishment it requires regular watering, but once established Camellia japonica 'Kingyo-tsubaki' develops moderate drought tolerance. Suited to cool temperate, warm temperate, and protected coastal positions, it maintains foliage with only occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.

Flowering Information

Does Camellia japonica 'Kingyo-tsubaki' – Fishtail Camellia flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Winter
Spring

Flower Type:

Pollinator-attracting

Flower Colour:

Pink

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What makes 'Kingyo-tsubaki' unique?
A. Its foliage. Each leaf forks at the tip into a clear fishtail-shape, an unusual botanical feature among camellias.

Q. When does it flower?
A. Single pink flowers appear from late winter through to early spring.

Q. Where does it perform best?
A. Part shade with morning sun, in moist well-drained slightly acidic soil.

Q. Is it suitable for pots?
A. Yes. Slow to moderate growth and compact upright habit suit large decorative containers.

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