- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Camellia japonica 'Red Red Rose' is an evergreen flowering shrub named for its formal double blooms, which open in neat overlapping rows of deep red much like a rose. The habit is upright and dense, with glossy dark foliage that holds its colour and structure right through the year.
Plant it in filtered light with shelter from strong afternoon sun and westerly wind. Soil should be acidic, well drained and rich in organic matter. It grows 20 to 50 cm a year, takes light to moderate frost once established, and does well through the cooler temperate zones of southern and eastern Australia.
It suits formal gardens where a repeated shrub is wanted either side of a path, and works equally well as a single flowering accent in a shaded courtyard. The blooms hold their form floated in a bowl. For a buyer, it delivers reliable structure and mid winter colour with little fuss.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Red Red Rose Camellia
What is Camellia japonica 'Red Red Rose'?
An evergreen shrub grown for deep red formal double flowers with the neat, symmetrical petal arrangement that gives the cultivar its name. Foliage is glossy, dark and dense, and the plant keeps an upright rounded outline. It belongs to the family Theaceae and is not an Australian native species.
How big does Red Red Rose Camellia grow?
In the ground it settles at about 2 to 3 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide over many years. Growth is upright before it broadens out. Annual pruning after flowering will hold it at 1.5 metres if you need a lower shrub, without costing you the following season's flowers.
Is it evergreen or deciduous?
Evergreen. The glossy dark green leaves stay on the plant all year, so it holds structure and screening value through winter as well as summer. Older leaves are shed gradually in small numbers rather than all at once, usually in spring as the new growth flush pushes through.
When does it flower?
Winter through to spring, broadly June to September, with the peak usually in late winter. The exact window shifts with district and aspect, and a shaded position tends to run a fortnight later than an open one. Individual blooms last several days and the plant opens them in waves.
Does it need sun or shade?
Partial shade to filtered sun. A position that catches gentle morning light and is shaded from about midday gives the best result. Full sun bleaches the red pigment and can burn foliage in hot inland gardens, while heavy shade produces lush leaves and disappointing flower numbers.
Does it have invasive roots?
No. Camellias have a shallow, fibrous root system with no aggressive searching roots, so they can be planted reasonably close to paths, paving and house footings. The trade off is that those surface roots resent competition and disturbance, so mulch around the base rather than cultivating it.
How do I care for it?
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first two summers, then as needed in dry weather. Mulch with composted pine bark or leaf litter to keep the roots cool. Feed after flowering with an acidic fertiliser, and clear spent blooms if petal blight appears in wet seasons.
