Flower Girl Camellia

Flower Girl Camellia (Camellia reticulata 'Flower Girl') is an upright evergreen shrub, about 3m high and 2m wide, with very large, relaxed warm pink flowers and gold centres in autumn and winter. Reticulata camellias prefer shade or filtered sun, which makes this a good flowering hedge or screen for a shadier garden. It also grows faster than most camellias.

Why you'll love it

• Enormous blooms. Very large flowers in a strong warm pink with gold centres light up the garden through autumn and winter.
• Happy in shade. It prefers a partly shaded position or filtered light, so it fills spots where many flowering shrubs struggle.
• Fast for a camellia. Upright, vigorous growth means it fills out sooner than slower varieties.
• Made for hedging. The upright habit suits flowering hedges, screens and feature planting.
• Gentle around pets. Camellias are not considered toxic to cats and dogs, so it is a comfortable choice for a family garden.

Where it works best

Flowering hedges and screens. Plant 1m apart in a single row. The upright habit and quick growth close the gaps in a few seasons, leaving a 3m screen that flowers in the cooler months.

Shadier gardens. Under the high canopy of tall trees or on the shadier side of a house, it brings winter flowers to places short of colour.

Feature planting. Set one where the large flowers can be seen from inside the house, out of full midday sun.

Growing Flower Girl Camellia in Australia

Position and climate. Choose a partly shaded position or one out of full midday sun. Established plants cope with light frost, though frost can mark open buds and flowers, so avoid low frost pockets. It suits warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and does best out of hot, drying wind.

Soil. Plant in free draining soil rich in organic matter, with a medium to acidic pH, and avoid lime. A humus rich potting mix worked into the planting hole helps the roots settle.

Water and feed. Mulch and water well, keeping the soil evenly moist through dry weather. Fertilise in spring with a camellia feed.

Pruning. Prune after flowering to shape the plant or thicken a hedge. Pruning later removes next season's buds.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Flower Girl Camellia as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Because it grows faster than most camellias, a tube is an economical way to plant a long hedge. 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
• Plants for partial shade
• Screening plants from 2m to 4m
• Camellia bushes: varieties, growing and care

Common questions

Does Flower Girl need shade?

It prefers a partly shaded position or filtered light, out of full midday sun. A spot with morning sun or high dappled shade suits it well.

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

About 1m apart in a single row. Its upright habit and quick growth fill the gaps in a few seasons.

Is it safe for pets?

Camellias are not considered toxic to cats and dogs.