Autumn Spirit Camellia

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

5-6 Feet

Mature Spread

5-6 Feet

Growing Zones

6 to 9

Autumn Spirit Camellia keeps the color coming long after summer fades. Peony-style blooms in rich pink shades open in fall, glowing against a backdrop of glossy, evergreen foliage. Compact, cold-tolerant, and easy to place, it shines where many flowering shrubs slow down.

Tuck it into borders, frame a porch, or set it in a container you can admire up close. The tidy, rounded habit fits small spaces, while the late-season display lifts patios, woodland edges, and foundation beds with effortless charm.

Autumn Spirit Camellia Care

Provide partial sun to bright, dappled light with 4–6 hours of gentle morning sun and afternoon shade. Plant in slightly acidic, well-drained soil (pH 5.5–6.5) amended with pine bark or leaf mold; avoid waterlogged or highly alkaline spots. Water when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry, keeping moisture even during bud set and bloom. Mulch 2–3 inches with shredded bark or pine needles, pulling it a few inches back from the stem.

Feed right after flowering with a granular, acid-loving fertilizer; make a light midsummer application only if growth is slow, and stop feeding 6–8 weeks before first frost. Prune immediately after bloom to shape and thin, as next year’s buds form from late spring to summer. Hardy in USDA Zones 7–9 (6b with protection). For containers, use an acid-lover potting mix in a pot with excellent drainage and protect the root zone from hard freezes. If grafted, remove any shoots that sprout below the graft. Check leaf undersides in late winter for tea scale and treat with horticultural oil if needed.

Autumn Spirit Camellia Spacing

For a specimen, allow 5–6 ft of space in all directions and 7–8 ft of vertical clearance. For a hedge or screen, plant 30–36 in on center and shear lightly after bloom to knit plants together. Keep 24–36 in from walls, paths, and steps for airflow and natural spread. For containers, start with a 16–20 in diameter pot (7–10 gal) and upsize to 18–22 in (12–15 gal) as it matures; place 2–3 ft from an east- or north-facing wall for bright, gentle light. 

To train as a small tree, select a central leader and stake lightly during the first 1–2 years.

Why Grow Autumn Spirit Camellia?

• Late-season, pink peony-style blooms that brighten fall gardens
• Evergreen, polished foliage for year-round structure and curb appeal
• Compact 5–6 ft habit that fits borders, foundations, and patio pots
• Thrives in partial shade and slightly acidic, well-drained soil with minimal fuss
• More cold-hardy than many camellias, extending the season in cooler regions

Add Autumn Spirit Camellia to your cart and keep the show going into fall. It’s a compact, low-fuss evergreen that turns bright shade into a four-season feature.