Just Chill® Double White Camellia

Camellias are easygoing once established. Give them morning sun with afternoon shade, acidic soil that drains well, and steady moisture through the first year.

Planting

1. Unbox right away. Remove packaging, water the root ball, and let the plant acclimate in a shaded spot for a few days.
2. Pick the right spot. Choose part sun or dappled shade with protection from harsh afternoon sun and drying winter wind.
3. Dig wide, not deep. Make the hole two to three times the width of the root ball and exactly as deep.
4. Set it high. Keep the top of the root ball level with or slightly above grade, since camellias resent being planted too deep.
5. Backfill and mulch. Fill with native soil amended with compost or pine bark, water in well, and add 2 to 3 inches of mulch, keeping it off the trunk.
6. Space for hedging. Set plants 36 to 60 inches apart for a solid evergreen screen.

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 and especially in fall while flower buds are developing.
• Containers. Check the top inch of soil every few days and water until it drains freely from the bottom.

Feeding

• Timing. Feed in early spring after flowering with a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants such as azaleas and camellias.
• Go light. Follow label rates and avoid late-summer feeding, which can push tender growth before frost.

Pruning

• When to prune. Prune right after flowering finishes in late winter or early spring, before new buds set.
• What to remove. Take out dead or crossing branches and shorten stray shoots to shape the plant or tighten a hedge.

Winter Care

• Mulch matters. A refreshed layer of mulch in late fall insulates roots in colder zones.
• Shelter young plants. Site new plantings away from drying winter wind for the first couple of seasons.
• Patio pots. Move containers to a protected wall, unheated garage, or porch during hard freezes.

When does Just Chill Double White Camellia bloom?

It flowers in mid to late fall, producing thick-petaled bright white double blooms with a light fragrance. Bloom timing shifts a week or two earlier or later depending on your climate.

How cold hardy is it?

The Just Chill series was specifically selected for improved cold hardiness and is reliable in USDA zones 6 through 9. In zone 6, plant it in a spot sheltered from drying winter wind and mulch the root zone each fall.

Is this camellia deer resistant?

Yes, it resists deer browsing. No plant is completely deer proof, but camellias are rarely a first choice for deer thanks to their thick, leathery foliage.

How much sun does it need?

Part sun is ideal. Morning sun with afternoon shade or bright dappled light gives the best flower production while protecting the foliage from scorching.

Can I grow it in a container?

Yes. Its upright habit makes it a strong thriller in a large patio pot. Use a well-draining acidic potting mix, water more frequently than in-ground plants, and move the container to a sheltered spot during hard freezes.

How big will it get and how fast does it grow?

Expect 5 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide at maturity with a moderate growth rate. Space plants 36 to 60 inches apart if you want a continuous evergreen hedge.