- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Camellia japonica 'Our Melissa', sold as the Our Melissa Camellia, is an evergreen shrub with an upright, densely branched habit and glossy dark green leaves. The soft pink double blooms are the drawcard, opening in neat layered form against the foliage through the cooler months of the year.
It prefers dappled light or morning sun with shelter from hot afternoon sun, and an acidic, humus rich soil that drains freely. Growth is steady at 20 to 50 cm a year. Light to moderate frost is handled once established, and it suits cool to warm temperate gardens from Hobart to Sydney.
Use it as a courtyard feature, an understorey shrub beneath established trees, or a flowering anchor in a shaded entry bed. It also holds its shape in a large pot beside a sheltered doorway. For a buyer, it gives winter colour in the part of the garden that usually offers none.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Melissa Camellia
What is Camellia japonica 'Our Melissa'?
It is an evergreen flowering shrub in the tea family, Theaceae, grown for soft pink double flowers and glossy dark green foliage. The habit is upright and dense, so it reads as a solid green shape for most of the year and then carries a heavy flush of bloom through winter and early spring.
How big does Our Melissa Camellia grow?
Expect roughly 2 to 3 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide in an open garden bed after ten to fifteen years. It can be held smaller with annual pruning after flowering, and plants grown in containers or in dense shade generally settle at the lower end of that range.
When does Our Melissa Camellia flower?
Flowering runs through winter into spring, generally from around June to September depending on your district. Cooler southern gardens tend to start later and finish later, while milder coastal areas often open the first blooms earlier. Spent flowers drop cleanly, so the display refreshes itself over several weeks.
Does it need sun or shade?
Partial shade or filtered sun suits it best. Morning sun with shade through the hot part of the afternoon gives the best flower quality and keeps the foliage a deep green. Full afternoon sun in inland gardens will scorch leaves and shorten the life of each bloom. Deep shade reduces flowering.
Is it frost tolerant?
Yes, it handles light to moderate frost once established. Young plants benefit from shelter for their first couple of winters. In frost prone districts avoid an east facing position where early morning sun strikes frozen buds, since rapid thawing is what damages the flowers rather than the cold itself.
Can it grow in pots?
Yes. Use a pot at least 50 cm across with a free draining, acidic potting mix formulated for camellias and azaleas. Water consistently through summer, since pots dry out faster than garden beds, and feed once flowering has finished. Repot or root prune every three to four years to keep growth healthy.
How do I care for Our Melissa Camellia?
Mulch well, keep the root zone cool and moist through summer, and feed with an acidic slow release fertiliser once flowering has finished. Prune lightly in late spring to shape. Avoid lime near the roots, and watch for scale or sooty mould on shaded plants, which a horticultural oil spray will clear.
