PlantFiles: Common Camellia, Japanese Camellia
Camellia japonica 'Debutante'

I had two, now one. I'd rate this a very good camellia variety.

I saw this in full bloom on a recent trip to Atlanta. They have several of them in Stone Mountain park over by the Mill... the flowers are almost as big as my hand! It kind of looked like three flowers smooshed into one! WOW! It's very pretty! Anyway, I am sure they aren't maintained very well at Stone Mountain and they were blooming like crazy! I can't wait to get one! I wish I could find it at my local Garden store... unfortunately I never see them in S. Florida. Bummer.

I've had this camellia for 3yrs. now. It bloomed pretty good the first fall/spring it was planted. The blooms are awesome. I am dealing with whitefly right now after I noticed it didn't bloom this year. The folige looks good and it's growing fast. It would probably appreciate some compost from me now and then. Overall I love this camellia. I really feel that I've somewhat neglected it.

Originated at Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, SC in the early 1900's.

Of all my camellias, this is my favorite. I love the clear pink color and the full bloom that reminds me of a large carnation. Mine is growing rather fast. It seems to withstand direct sun better than some. Mine is in direct to near direct sun for atleast 1/2 of the day (in SE, Zone 8b) and does not burn. However, it seems overly sensitive to low temps. Mine blooms in Jan/Feb and despite our very moderate temps, a few cold night (low 30's) almost always spoil the beauty of the blooms by turning the edges brown. Mine blooms over a long period; this year it started on Jan 8 and still has a few blooms.