Camellia japonica ‘R.L. Wheeler’

Camellia japonica 'R.L. Wheeler' (Camellia japonica 'R.L. Wheeler') is a formal evergreen hedge for a shaded position, with a serious flower attached. It reaches about 3m tall and 2m wide and opens very large rose red blooms through winter, semi double with a prominent boss of golden stamens. Glossy dark foliage carries the rest of the year, and it is not toxic to cats or dogs.

Why you'll love it

• It screens in shade. Most evergreen hedges need sun. This one prefers dappled shade, so it suits a south facing fence or the ground under trees.
• Tall and narrow enough for a boundary. Roughly 3m by 2m, so it screens an upstairs sightline without swallowing a suburban bed.
• Safe around pets. Camellias are not toxic to cats or dogs, which matters at nose height along a fence line.
• Long lived and low maintenance. Slow, steady growth and no constant trimming. A well placed camellia outlasts most of the garden around it.

Where it works best

Hedging and screening. Plant 1m apart for a formal evergreen hedge; the plants knit into a continuous face over three to four years.

Feature planting. A single specimen beside an entry or a shaded wall makes the flowers the point.

Pots and courtyards. A pot 500mm or wider suits it long term and holds it closer to 1.5m to 2m. Use an acidic potting mix, and be honest about the watering.

Growing camellias in Australia

Position and climate. Dappled or partial shade, sheltered from drying wind. Hot afternoon sun yellows the leaves and browns the petal edges, so morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal. Suits warm temperate, cool temperate and subtropical gardens, frost hardy once established.

Soil. Acidic, rich in organic matter and free draining. Work compost and aged pine bark through the bed, keep the pH below about 6.5, and keep it away from fresh concrete and limed paths. Mulch 75mm deep, clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Keep the root zone consistently moist, especially through summer while next winter's buds form. Feed a camellia and azalea fertiliser after flowering and again in mid summer.

Pruning. Prune straight after flowering, before new growth starts: light shaping for a specimen, an annual trim of the outer face for a hedge. It reshoots from old wood, so a neglected plant can be cut hard and recovers over two seasons.

What to expect when it arrives

It comes in two sizes: tube stock, and 200mm pots in packs of six. Tubes are the value option for a long hedge line, though camellias are slow: allow four to five years to a finished hedge. The 200mm plants arrive branched and are the practical starting point.

Some leaf drop after transit is normal. Expect a quiet first season while the roots establish, then steady progress from the second year. Plants are delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Our guide to growing and caring for camellia bushes.
• Compare varieties in the complete camellia range.
• Other plants for partial shade.
• More plants that are safe for pets.

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

One metre apart in a single row. Tighter spacing is tempting with a slow plant, but it crowds the roots later.

Why are the buds dropping before they open?

Almost always dry soil through the previous summer, or a sudden swing in watering. Keep the root zone evenly moist from December and mulch well.

Is it safe for cats and dogs?

Yes. Camellias are not toxic to cats or dogs, so this suits a hedge or pot in a garden where animals spend time.