Otome Camellia
Camellia japonica ‘Otome’
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-10b Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub or Small Tree
Species: Japonica (Winter, Spring blooming)
Height at Maturity: 10-12′ depending on pruning
Width at Maturity: 6-8′ depending on pruning
Spacing: 5′ for solid hedge; 12’+ for space between plants
Flower Color: Light to Medium Pink
Flower Size: 3-4″
Flowering Period: Late Winter, Spring
Flower Type: Fully Double
Fragrant Flowers: No
Foliage Color: Dark Green
Fragrant Foliage: No
Berries: No
Berry Color: NA
Sun Needs: Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade or Filtered Sun, All Day Filtered Sun
Water Needs: Average, Lower when established
Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist
Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5 (Acid)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Attracts: Visual Attention
Resistances: Deer – more info, Drought (when established), Heat, Humidity
Intolerances: Direct Afternoon Sun, Constantly Soggy Soil
Description
Otome is not the most well known Camellia…but it should be! In late winter through early spring, this rare gorgeous beauty produces an abundance of absolutely perfect, full-double flowers with who knows how many luscious pink petals! The flowers are held atop stems covered in lustrous dark green foliage. To enjoy the flowers indoors display several cuttings in vase or float just one in a bowl of water.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 10-12 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide depending on pruning, Otome Camellia can be grown as a large shrub or small tree. As a shrub it’s ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings, or as a hedge or background plant in landscape borders and is especially nice as corner plant or espalier (trained to grow flat against a wall) in home foundation plantings. As this camellia grows taller, lower branches can be removed to form a small evergreen tree for use as an attractive and colorful focal point specimen in landscape borders and home foundation plantings. A fine addition to camellia gardens, pink theme gardens, Asian theme gardens, cottage gardens, cut flower gardens and partially shaded woodland borders. Also suitable for containers that can be brought indoors during winter above USDA Zone 7a, where this cultivar is not reliably winter hardy. Find Your Zone
Spacing: 5 feet or more for solid hedge; 12 feet or more for space between plants
Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a, where this Camellia variety is not reliably winter hardy, you’ll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.
Growing Preferences
Camellia adapt well to various soil types however prefer a moist but well-drained acidic soil that is rich in organic matter. Constantly soggy or wet soil is a slow killer. In general, Camellia grows and blooms better in partial shade with some shelter from the hot afternoon sun. Morning sun with afternoon shade or filtered sunlight is perfect. All-day filtered sun and evening sun are fine.
Helpful Articles
Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Camellias.
Planting Camellias
Pruning Camellias
How To Fertilize & Water Camellias
How To Espalier Plants & Trees
*Espalier (pronounced: ih-spal-yay) …an ornamental shrub or tree that has been trained to grow flat against a wall, fence, or other vertical, flat surface.
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