CM Hovey Camellia

CM Hovey Camellia (Camellia japonica 'C.M. Hovey') is an old, well proven red japonica that flowers through the coldest, dullest part of the year. It makes an upright evergreen shrub of about 3m tall and 2m wide, with dark glossy leaves and formal deep red blooms from mid winter into spring. It is frost hardy, wind tolerant, and not toxic to cats or dogs.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers in winter. The display runs from mid winter into spring, when most of the garden has nothing to offer.
• Deep red, formal flowers. Neatly layered petals in a strong red, reading clearly against dark foliage.
• Evergreen structure year round. Glossy leaves hold from ground level up, so it earns its space out of season.
• Shade is an asset, not a compromise. It prefers morning sun and afternoon shade, so it suits the south side of a house.
• Pet safe and low maintenance. Not toxic to cats or dogs, and content with one feed and one light prune a year.

Where it works best

Hedging and screening. Plant 1m apart in a single row for a dense informal hedge. At 2m wide the plants meet comfortably, and the screen stays furnished to the ground rather than lifting into bare stems.

Feature planting. A single specimen beside a path or against a shaded wall is the traditional use and still the best.

Pots and containers. A pot 500mm or wider with acidic mix holds a plant at around 2m for years, which also solves the problem for gardeners on alkaline soil.

Growing CM Hovey Camellia in Australia

Position and climate. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal, and dappled light under established trees works well. Full afternoon sun in a hot inland garden scorches the leaves. It suits subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens.

Soil. Acidic, free draining and rich in organic matter. This is the one condition it will not negotiate on: in alkaline soil the leaves yellow between the veins and the plant declines. Mulch 75mm deep, clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Camellias are surface rooted, so they dry out before you expect. Deep soak twice a week through the first two summers. Feed a camellia and azalea fertiliser in early spring, and again in late summer as buds set.

Pruning. Prune straight after flowering finishes. Light shaping is usually all it needs, though it reshoots from old wood if it has become leggy. Pruning later in the year removes the developing buds.

What to expect when it arrives

We grow it in 200mm pots sold in packs of six, and as single plants in 300mm pots. The 200mm packs are the sensible buy for a hedge, since six plants at 1m spacing cover about six metres of boundary. The 300mm plants are larger and usually flower in their first winter with you.

Camellias travel well because the foliage is firm and the root ball dense. Some bud drop after transit is normal and not a fault. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Expect a slow first season while the roots spread, then steady growth. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Everything to know about growing camellias
• Browse the full camellia range
• How to make your soil more acidic
• Compare other plants for partial shade

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

One metre apart in a single row. That matches its 2m mature width and gives a dense informal screen without the plants competing at the base.

Why are the leaves turning yellow between the veins?

That is almost always soil too alkaline for a camellia. Mulch heavily, apply a camellia and azalea fertiliser, and if the soil is naturally limey, move the plant into a pot of acidic mix.

Can I grow it in full sun?

In cool temperate gardens, yes. In warm and inland districts the afternoon sun scorches the leaves and browns the flowers, so morning sun gives a far better plant.