Cherries Jubilee Camellia

Cherries Jubilee Camellia (Camellia japonica 'Cherries Jubilee') is an evergreen shrub, 2m to 3m high and 1.5m to 2.5m wide, with glossy green leaves and very large red double flowers. The ruffled blooms have smaller white petals at the heart and gold stamens. It can be clipped into a hedge, but it earns its keep as a feature plant.

Why you'll love it

• Huge ruffled blooms. Large red double flowers open loose and frilled, and a single plant makes a statement.
• White and gold at the heart. Smaller white petals and gold stamens in the centre lift the red and draw the eye.
• Glossy leaves all year. The evergreen foliage stays handsome long after the flowers have finished.
• Upright and dense. The habit suits an ornamental hedge, and the plant also does well in a large container.
• Frost tolerant once settled. Japonicas cope with cool climates, and this one tolerates frost once it is established.

Where it works best

Feature planting. Give it a spot where the flowers are the focus, with room to reach 2m to 3m. Plain green neighbours or a pale wall behind let the red stand out.

Flowering hedges. Plant 1m apart in a row for a dense evergreen hedge. It takes a few seasons to close up, so be patient in the early years.

Containers. A large pot suits a young plant, but it will want a bigger container, or the ground, as it approaches full size.

Growing Cherries Jubilee Camellia in Australia

Position and climate. Sunny or partly shaded, with morning or afternoon sun, and out of strong wind. Japonicas suit cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and established plants tolerate frost. In warm, humid districts a sasanqua is usually easier, so give this one a sheltered, partly shaded spot there.

Soil. Plant in well drained soil prepared with mulch. Like other camellias it prefers an acidic soil, so avoid lime.

Water and feed. Water regularly for the first 12 weeks or until established, and keep the soil evenly moist in summer while next season's buds develop. Feed with a camellia specific fertiliser.

Pruning. Prune after flowering, and only as much as you need to shape it. Cutting later removes next season's flower buds.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Cherries Jubilee Camellia as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. A tube is a small start for a large plant, so plan on a few seasons of growth before the first big show. Plants travel upright and settle in within a few weeks.

Our grower supplies the tubes, and they are not always available. A tube shows as sold out when the grower has none, and the notify button on this page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse our full camellia range
• Evergreen shrubs
• Frost hardy plants
• Camellia bushes: varieties, growing and care

Common questions

Does it make a good hedge?

Yes. The upright, dense habit clips well, and spacing plants 1m apart gives a solid evergreen hedge in time. Planted alone, it is better still as a feature.

When does it flower?

Japonicas flower later in the season than sasanquas, so expect the large red blooms after the sasanqua display has finished.

Is it safe for cats and dogs?

Camellias are not considered toxic to cats and dogs, so it is a comfortable choice for a family garden.