Southern Living? Yuletide Camellia - Camellia japonica 'Yuletide'

Southern Living® Yuletide Camellia (Camellia japonica 'Yuletide')

Add vibrant crimson blooms to your winter landscape with this stunning evergreen shrub that flowers when most plants are dormant. The Yuletide Camellia delivers months of bold color from fall through early winter, making it a favorite choice for gardeners seeking reliable seasonal interest. When you buy Southern Living® Yuletide Camellia online from Florida Plant Nursery, you receive a vigorous, well-established plant ready to thrive in your garden.

Landscaping Uses

This versatile shrub works beautifully as a foundation planting along entryways, a living privacy screen, or a striking focal point in mixed borders. Plant it in areas where its winter flowers will frame walkways or create welcoming displays near outdoor entertaining spaces. The glossy evergreen foliage provides year-round structure and texture alongside other shade-tolerant shrubs and perennials.

Specifications

Height: 8–10 feet
Width: 6–8 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Sun: Full to partial sun (4–8 hours daily)
Water: Moderate; drought tolerant once established
Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic
USDA Zones: 7–9

Why Homeowners Love It

• Produces abundant scarlet flowers from September through January when few other plants bloom
• Requires minimal maintenance—no regular pruning needed to maintain beautiful shape
• Naturally drought tolerant and adapts well to various soil and weather conditions
• Dense evergreen growth provides privacy and structure year-round with minimal fuss

Planting & Care

Select a location with full to partial sun and afternoon shade protection, using well-draining soil amended with organic matter. Dig a hole slightly shallower than the root ball's depth and twice its width, then backfill gently and apply mulch to retain moisture. Water regularly during the first growing season, checking soil moisture every few days and adjusting based on rainfall and temperature. Once established, this camellia needs minimal supplemental watering except during extended dry periods. Apply an acidifying fertilizer in spring and again in mid-summer to support healthy growth and abundant flowering.