- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Camellia japonica 'Laurie Bray' is an evergreen shrub raised in Australia, carrying large soft pink semi double flowers with loosely arranged petals and visible stamens. Leaves are broad, glossy and deep green, and the plant grows upright with dense internal branching that fills out into a rounded shrub over time.
Grow it in filtered sun or partial shade in acidic, well-drained soil that holds organic matter and stays evenly moist. It handles light to moderate frost once established and performs reliably across cool and warm temperate Australia. Annual growth of 20 to 50 cm means it stays where you put it for years.
It suits shaded borders, established gardens under mature trees, and screening along boundaries that never get full sun. The Australian breeding shows in how well it copes with local conditions. For anyone replanting an older garden, it offers a proven flowering shrub that fits the scale of existing plantings.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Laurie Bray Camellia
What is Camellia japonica 'Laurie Bray'?
It is an Australian raised cultivar of the Japanese camellia, producing large semi double flowers in soft pink with a loose, informal petal arrangement. The shrub is evergreen with glossy dark foliage and an upright, well branched habit. It has been a mainstay of southern Australian gardens for decades.
How big does Laurie Bray Camellia grow?
It reaches about 2 to 4 metres tall and 1.5 to 2.5 metres wide when fully grown, which takes well over a decade. Younger plants remain compact for a long time. Pruning after flowering each year will hold it at a lower height indefinitely without reducing the following season's display.
Is it evergreen or deciduous?
Evergreen. The glossy foliage stays on the plant right through the year, with older leaves dropping gradually as fresh growth pushes in spring. This makes it useful wherever a permanent visual screen or a continuous green backdrop is required, since there is no bare period in winter.
How do I prune it?
Prune straight after the last flowers drop, usually early to mid spring. Take out dead and crossing wood, thin the centre for airflow, and shorten leggy shoots back to a leaf node. Avoid pruning from summer onwards, since the plant sets next season's buds over the warmer months and late cuts remove them.
Is it safe around pets and children?
Camellias are not considered toxic to dogs, cats or people, and this cultivar is no exception. There are no thorns and no irritant sap. Fallen flowers are large enough to be picked up easily. As always, discourage children and pets from chewing garden plants as a general habit.
Where does it grow best in Australia?
Cool and warm temperate regions are its home ground, covering Victoria, Tasmania, southern New South Wales, the Adelaide Hills, Sydney and the tablelands. It also succeeds in elevated subtropical gardens. Very hot, dry inland climates and the humid tropical north are both outside its comfortable range.
How do I care for Laurie Bray Camellia?
Mulch generously, water deeply during dry spells and feed once with a camellia and azalea fertiliser after flowering. Keep the root zone undisturbed, since the roots sit shallow. Yellowing between leaf veins signals alkaline soil and is corrected with iron chelates and a soil acidifying fertiliser.
