Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The Christmas Carol™ Camellia makes easy work of decorating your outdoor space for the holidays. This striking plant is a Camellia japonica variety that blooms in the fall, and flowers last until Christmas. The bell-shaped semi-double flowers have petals with soft red centers that fade to white along the edges. The flowers gently hang from the semi-weeping branches of this shrub, also known as Camellia x vernalis.
The showy blooms of this plant are eye-catching, and the dark green, pointed foliage with serrated edges provides a nice contrast. Use the Christmas Carol™ Camellia as a hedge, mass planting, privacy planting, or as an accent. This plant can be grown in a container which provides some flexibility and the ability to easily move the plant when using it as part of your holiday decor. This plant is a perennial in USDA zones 7 through 9.
Christmas Carol™ Camellia Plant Care
Christmas Carol™ Camellia needs full sun to part shade and well-draining soil. Use a rich, slightly acidic soil high in organic content to help the plant thrive and push out beautiful blooms. This hybrid has medium water needs, so water when the top couple of inches of soil are dry during the summer when the plant is actively growing. Cut back on water during the second growing season in the fall. Further reduce water after the plant stops blooming in the winter.
Fertilize the plant to promote new growth and healthy blooms. Feed the Camellia once or twice each year with an acidic fertilizer. This plant does not require much pruning but trim it back to remove dead or damaged growth in the spring. Camellia plants have temperature-sensitive roots, so place mulch around the base of the plant during the winter to help protect against chilly weather.
Christmas Carol™ Camellia Plant Spacing
A mature Christmas Carol™ Camellia will be 5 to 7 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. Create a wall of greenery and blooms by placing the plants close together. This plant can be as close as 2.5 feet from center to center for a dense, seamless look. Space the plants further away if that more aligns with your desired look.
Christmas Carol™ Camellia Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 7 to 9 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 5-7 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 3-5 Feet
- Growth Rate
- Slow
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Red, White
- Flower Description
- Soft Red With White Edges
- Bloom Time
- Fall to Winter
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Fall Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Christmas Carol™ Camellia
- Botanical Name
- Camellia x vernalis 'Green J-039'
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!