- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Camellia japonica 'Tinsie', also sold under its Japanese name 'Bokuhan', is a compact evergreen shrub with small anemone form flowers. Each bloom carries a ring of rich red outer petals around a tight white centre of petaloids, held against dense, glossy dark green foliage on an upright, rounded frame.
It prefers filtered sun, or morning sun with afternoon shade, and a rich, free draining, slightly acidic soil kept evenly moist while it establishes. Growth is moderate at 20 to 50 centimetres a year. Once settled it handles light to moderate frost and suits cool temperate and warm temperate gardens.
Use it as a courtyard specimen, in a shaded entry bed, along a sheltered side garden, or in a large pot on a protected balcony. The small flowers and restrained habit suit tight spaces where a full sized camellia would crowd the planting. It gives colour in the months when little else flowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Camellia 'Tinsie'
What is Camellia japonica 'Tinsie'?
'Tinsie', also known as 'Bokuhan', is a compact evergreen japonica camellia with small anemone form flowers. Each bloom has a ring of deep red outer petals around a raised white centre of petaloids. It flowers through winter and into spring, and holds dense glossy foliage on an upright, rounded shrub all year round.
How big does Camellia 'Tinsie' grow?
Expect around 1.5 to 2.5 metres tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide in a garden bed after a decade or so. It is one of the more restrained japonicas, staying narrow and upright rather than spreading. Pruning after flowering will hold it lower if you need it under a window or in a courtyard.
When does Camellia 'Tinsie' flower?
Flowering runs through winter into spring, generally July to October depending on how cool your district is. Buds open in sequence rather than all at once, so the display spreads across several weeks. In warmer coastal areas flowering starts earlier, and in cold highland gardens it carries later into spring.
Does it need sun or shade?
Partial shade or filtered sun gives the best result. Morning sun with shade from midday onwards protects both the foliage and the open blooms, which scorch in hot western sun. Full shade will reduce flowering and leave the shrub thin. A spot under high open tree canopy or on an east facing wall is ideal.
Is Camellia 'Tinsie' frost tolerant?
Yes. Once established it handles light to moderate frost without damage, which covers most cool temperate and tablelands gardens. Young plants in their first winter benefit from mulch over the root zone and shelter from cold drying wind. Frost settling on open flowers can mark the petals, so avoid frost hollows if the winter display matters.
Can it be grown in a pot?
Yes, the compact habit suits container growing. Use a pot at least 40 to 50 centimetres wide with a free draining mix formulated for camellias and azaleas. Keep it out of afternoon sun, water consistently through summer, and feed after flowering. Repot or root prune every three to four years to keep it vigorous.
How do I care for Camellia 'Tinsie'?
Mulch well, keep water up during dry spells, and feed with a camellia and azalea fertiliser once flowering finishes. Prune lightly straight after the last blooms drop, before the next season's buds set. Rake up spent flowers to reduce petal blight. Avoid cultivating around the base, as the roots sit close to the surface.
