- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Camellia japonica 'Roger Hall' is an evergreen shrub with large, bright red formal double flowers and a compact, well furnished frame. The blooms sit up well against thick glossy leaves, and the plant branches freely from low down, so it stays clothed to the ground as it matures.
It handles light to moderate frost once established and prefers a sheltered spot with morning sun and afternoon shade. Give it acidic soil that drains freely and stays moist through summer. Growth is moderate at 20 to 50 cm a year. Cool and warm temperate districts across southern Australia suit it well.
The tidy habit makes it a good choice for narrow side gardens, shaded entries and pots on a covered terrace. It is also specified in aged care and school landscapes where a dense, thornless shrub is wanted. Buyers get a long lived plant that asks very little once it is settled.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Roger Hall Camellia
What is Camellia japonica 'Roger Hall'?
An evergreen flowering shrub grown for its large bright red formal double blooms and dense glossy foliage. It keeps an upright, rounded shape and branches low, which makes it useful where a shrub needs to look furnished from the base. Flowering falls in the cooler half of the year.
How big does Roger Hall Camellia grow?
Around 2 to 3 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide at maturity in a garden bed, reached slowly over a decade or more. Container plants and those in deep shade usually stay closer to 1.5 metres. A light trim each spring keeps it neat at whatever size you want.
How fast does it grow?
Growth is moderate, roughly 20 to 50 cm a year, with the higher figure only in ideal conditions of shelter, acidic soil and steady summer moisture. It is not a plant for instant results from a small pot, which is why advanced sizes are usually specified when the effect is needed sooner.
Is it frost tolerant?
Yes, it tolerates light to moderate frost once established. The plant itself is hardier than its flowers, and open blooms can brown at the edges after a heavy frost. Planting where the shrub is shaded from early morning sun lets frozen buds thaw slowly and keeps the display looking better.
Can it grow in pots?
Yes, and the compact habit suits it. Choose a container at least 50 cm wide and deep, use an acidic potting mix, and site it out of hot afternoon sun. Pots need watering more often than beds through summer, plus a liquid feed through the growing season to keep foliage dark.
Is it safe around pets and children?
Camellias are not listed as toxic to dogs, cats or horses, and the plant has no thorns, spines or irritant sap. That makes it a low risk choice for family gardens and childcare landscapes. As with any plant, discourage children from eating the leaves, flowers or seed capsules.
How do I maintain it?
Very little is needed. Mulch annually, water through dry spells, and feed with a camellia fertiliser once flowering ends. Prune at the same time if you want to shape it. Check for scale insects under the leaves in humid weather and treat with horticultural oil before sooty mould develops.
