- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Camellia japonica 'L.T. Dees' is an evergreen flowering shrub with large soft pink blooms held against thick, lustrous dark green leaves. The flowers are generously sized and open steadily rather than all at once. Growth is upright and compact, and the shrub knits together into a neat rounded shape without much help.
It performs in partial shade to filtered sun, in a free draining acidic soil improved with compost and kept evenly damp. Cool and warm temperate districts suit it, and established plants handle light to moderate frost. Its compact habit and unhurried growth make it one of the easier camellias to keep in scale.
The tidier size lends itself to pots, small courtyards, narrow side gardens and low informal hedging where a taller camellia would crowd the space. Landscapers use it in townhouse and unit developments for exactly that reason. For a buyer with limited room, it delivers full sized flowers on a manageable plant.
Frequently Asked Questions
About L.T. Dees Camellia
What is Camellia japonica 'L.T. Dees'?
It is a Japanese camellia cultivar bearing large soft pink flowers on a compact evergreen shrub. Foliage is glossy, leathery and dark green, holding through all seasons. The relatively restrained habit sets it apart from more vigorous japonica cultivars and makes it a practical choice for smaller gardens and containers.
Can it grow in pots?
Yes, this is one of the better camellias for container growing thanks to its compact habit. Use a premium camellia and azalea mix, a pot of at least 45 to 50 cm diameter, and site it where it gets morning light only. Water more frequently than a garden plant and feed with a slow release camellia food each spring.
How big does L.T. Dees Camellia grow?
In the ground it makes roughly 2 to 3 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide at maturity, and considerably less in a pot. It takes many years to reach full size. Light annual pruning after flowering will hold it at any height you choose within that range.
Does it need sun or shade?
Partial shade to filtered sun. Morning light with shelter from the hot afternoon gives the best foliage colour and the longest lasting flowers. In deep shade it will survive but flower sparsely. Under a high canopy, on a south or east facing wall, or beneath a pergola are all good positions.
Is it frost tolerant?
Yes, established plants take light to moderate frost in their stride, which covers most southern Australian winters. Newly planted specimens are more vulnerable in their first season, so plant in autumn or early spring, mulch the root zone and choose a spot with some overhead protection from radiant frost.
When does it flower?
Flowering spans winter and spring, typically June to September. The exact window shifts with climate, opening earlier in milder coastal gardens and later in cold highland ones. Buds form over the preceding summer, so dry stress in January and February shows up as reduced flowering the following winter.
How do I care for L.T. Dees Camellia?
Keep the root zone mulched and the soil evenly moist, particularly over summer. Feed with a camellia and azalea fertiliser after the flowers finish, and prune at the same time if shaping is needed. In pots, check moisture twice weekly in hot weather and refresh the potting mix every two to three years.
