Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
R.L. Wheeler Camellia turns late winter into peak season with large watermelon-red blooms. Camellia japonica 'R.L. Wheeler' produces semi-double flowers with a broad golden center of stamens, set against glossy dark evergreen foliage. Mature plants can bloom over a long season, with flowers appearing from late fall into early spring in mild climates. We find it especially satisfying as a cutting camellia because a single floating bloom can fill a shallow bowl with color.
This Hall of Fame Award winner was introduced from Georgia gardens and grows into a large upright to rounded evergreen shrub. Young plants may look open at first, then fill out as branching matures. Use it as a shaded specimen, flowering privacy shrub, loose hedge, or an evergreen anchor near patios and winter-view windows. It is also a good container camellia where moisture, drainage, and root temperature can be managed closely.
R.L. Wheeler Camellia Care
Plant R.L. Wheeler Camellia in part shade, light shade, filtered shade, or morning sun with afternoon protection. It grows best in fertile, humus-rich loam with steady drainage and a deep organic mulch. Keep soil acidic to mildly acidic, generally around 5.5 to 6.5 pH.
Water deeply after planting and continue whenever the top few inches of soil begin to dry. Established camellias need even moisture during bud formation and flowering, but standing water can damage roots. Feed from late winter or early spring through midsummer with a balanced slow-release fertilizer for acid-loving plants. Mulch 2–3 inches with shredded bark or pine needles, pulling mulch a few inches back from the stem.
Prune after flowering ends in spring, before new flower buds begin forming for the next season. Remove crossing stems, thin crowded interior branches, or shorten long shoots to shape the plant without shearing away its natural form. Container plants may need protection during extended freezes, since frozen potting mix can injure roots even when the top growth looks fine.
R.L. Wheeler Camellia Spacing
Space R.L. Wheeler Camellia 6 to 8 feet apart for a broad hedge, or 8 to 10 feet from nearby large shrubs when grown as a specimen. Train as a small tree by selecting a central leader and lightly staking during the first 1–2 years. Use a container at least 20 inches wide with drainage holes, and move up in size as the root ball fills the pot.
In shaded acidic beds, pair this camellia with ferns, hostas, sweetspire, and mountain laurel for layered foliage and compatible moisture needs. For large containers, use Jacob's Ladder or bacopa near the edge where filtered light and regular watering are available.
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
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
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.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2026. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
| Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
|---|---|
| Zone 10 | April 6th |
| Zone 9 | April 6th |
| Zone 8 | April 6th |
| Zone 7 | April 13th |
| Zone 6b | April 20st |
| Zone 6a | April 27th |
| Zone 5b | May 4th |
| Zone 5a | May 11th |
| Zone 4 | May 18th |
| Zone 3 | May 25th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
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: AZ, OR, 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!