- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Camellia japonica 'Royal Velvet' is a large evergreen shrub known for deep crimson semi double flowers with a soft, velvety petal texture and a boss of gold stamens at the centre. The leaves are broad, leathery and dark, and the plant carries an upright, strongly branched form.
It is one of the more vigorous japonicas, putting on 20 to 50 cm a year with shelter, acidic soil and reliable summer water. Filtered light suits it best. Light to moderate frost is no trouble once established. Cool and warm temperate gardens across Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales give the best results.
Its scale suits larger residential gardens, heritage plantings and shaded boundary beds where a tall flowering evergreen is required. Over time it can be limbed up to form a small multi stemmed tree with something planted beneath it. That flexibility is useful when a bed has to work over decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Royal Velvet Camellia
What is Camellia japonica 'Royal Velvet'?
A vigorous evergreen shrub grown for its large, deep crimson semi double flowers with a velvety finish and prominent yellow stamens. Foliage is broad, dark and glossy, and stays on the plant year round. It is a japonica type, so it flowers through the cooler months rather than in autumn.
How big does Royal Velvet Camellia grow?
Expect 3 to 4 metres tall and 2 to 2.5 metres wide with age, which puts it among the taller camellias. Given room it develops a broad upright frame. Where space is tight, prune annually after flowering or plan on a bed at least 2.5 metres deep to hold it comfortably.
Where does it grow best in Australia?
It performs best in cool and warm temperate districts, including Melbourne, Ballarat, Hobart, Adelaide, Canberra, Sydney and the Blue Mountains. The Perth hills and the Granite Belt also suit it. It is not a plant for the tropics, and in arid inland areas it needs irrigation and wind shelter to survive summer.
When does it flower?
The main display runs from winter into spring, broadly June through to September. In cooler highland gardens flowering can extend into October. Buds set the previous summer, so consistent watering through the warm months is what determines how heavily the plant flowers the following winter.
What soil does it need?
Acidic soil, ideally between pH 5.5 and 6.5, with good drainage and plenty of organic matter. Heavy clay should be improved with compost and composted bark, or the plant raised in a mound. Avoid lime, wash from new concrete, and alkaline bore water, all of which cause yellowing between the leaf veins.
How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?
For a dense hedge or screen, set plants 1.5 metres apart and prune the tips each spring to encourage branching. At that spacing the canopies knit within a few years. For a looser informal boundary planting, 2 to 2.5 metres suits the natural width better and needs far less cutting.
How do I care for it?
Keep the root zone mulched and moist, especially over summer when next season's buds are forming. Feed twice a year, after flowering and again in early autumn, with a fertiliser formulated for acid loving plants. Prune in spring, and rake up fallen petals in wet weather to limit petal blight.
