Just Chill® Double Mauve Camellia

Camellias reward a little care up front with decades of evergreen structure and off-season flowers. Plant in fall or early spring and give the roots room to settle before extreme heat or hard freezes.

Planting

1. Unbox right away. Remove packaging, water the root ball, and set the plant in bright indirect light for a day or two to recover from shipping.
2. Pick the site. Choose a spot with part to full sun, at least 4 hours of direct light per day, with protection from harsh afternoon sun in the hottest zones.
3. Check the soil. Camellias want well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter. Amend heavy clay with compost or pine bark fines and avoid low spots that hold water.
4. Dig wide, not deep. Make the hole twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper. Set the top of the root ball slightly above grade so it never sits in a puddle.
5. Backfill and mulch. Firm the soil around the roots, water in deeply, then apply 2-3 inches of pine straw or shredded bark mulch, keeping it off the trunk.
6. Space for growth. Set plants 3-5 feet apart for a hedge or mass planting.

Watering

• First season. Water deeply once or twice a week, more often in heat, keeping soil evenly moist but never soggy.
• Established plants. Water during dry spells, especially in fall when flower buds are forming and opening.
• Containers. Potted camellias dry out faster; check the top inch of soil and water when it feels dry.

Feeding

• Timing. Feed in spring after the main bloom cycle finishes, using a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants.
• Go light. Follow label rates and avoid late-season feeding, which can push tender growth before cold weather.

Pruning

• Prune after flowering. This variety blooms on new wood, so shape it in late winter or early spring once the flower show winds down.
• Shape lightly. Remove dead or crossing branches and trim tips to encourage a fuller, denser habit for hedging.

Winter Care

• Mulch matters. A fresh layer of mulch before winter insulates roots in zone 6b and 7.
• Block cold wind. Site plants where they are sheltered from drying winter wind for the best foliage and bud quality.

When does this camellia actually bloom?

Flowering starts in mid-fall and continues through winter in mild climates. In colder parts of its range, expect the main show in fall before hard freezes arrive.

Is it hardy where I live?

It is hardy in USDA zones 6b through 9. Check your USDA zone before ordering; in zone 6b, plant it in a spot sheltered from winter wind and mulch the roots well.

Do deer eat camellias?

Just Chill Double Mauve resists deer browsing and is also disease resistant. No plant is completely deer proof if food is scarce, but this one is rarely a first choice.

Can I grow it in a container?

Yes. Use a large pot with drainage holes and an acidic, well-drained potting mix. Container plants dry out faster and need more frequent watering, and in zone 6b it helps to move pots to a sheltered spot for winter.

How and when should I prune it?

It blooms on new wood, so prune in late winter or early spring after flowering finishes. Light shaping keeps it dense for hedges; heavier cuts are best made right after the bloom cycle.

How big will it get?

About 5-8 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Space plants 3-5 feet apart for a hedge.