April Dawn Camellia Japonica
Camellia japonica ‘April Dawn’
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub
Species: Japonica
Height at Maturity: 8′ depending on pruning
Width at Maturity: 4′ depending on pruning
Spacing: 3-3.5′ for solid hedges; 5.5’+ for space between
Spacing: 3-3.5′ for solid hedges; 5.5’+ for space between
Flower Color: White, Dark Pink striping, can be solid Raspberry Red
Flower Size: Large, 4″
Flowering Period: Early Spring, April
Flower Type: Double
Fragrant Flowers: Yes
Foliage Color: Glossy Dark Green
Fragrant Foliage: No
Berries: No
Berry Color: NA
Sun Needs: Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade or Filtered Sun, All Day Filtered Sun
Water Needs: Average, Lower when established
Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist
Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5 (Acid)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Resistances: Deer – more info, Drought (when established), Heat, Humidity
Intolerances: Direct Afternoon Sun, Constantly Soggy Soil
Attracts: Visual Attention
Description
April Dawn is a prized selection from the April Camellia Series, which were developed to have improved winter cold hardiness and a later bloom cycle than most other Camellia japonica.
One of the most cold hardy in the April Camellia Series, April Dawn Camellia produces an abundance of fragrant, eye catching double flowers with white petals streaked in dark pink dark, and also solid deep raspberry pink to almost red flowers on the same plant. We think this one should’ve been named ‘ April Candy Cane’ Camellia as it’s streaked petals definitely remind one of a candy cane. Blooming later than others, flowers start coming in late winter and continue through April, hence the name. The striking flowers are set against a perfect backdrop of glossy, deep green foliage. April Dawn’s upright narrow form lends well to smaller spaces where other Camellia japonica varieties won’t fit.
April Dawn is listed as cold hardy as far north as St Louis, Missouri USDA Zone 6.
Landscape & Garden Uses
A moderate growing Camellia with an upright habit of growth to about 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide, April Dawn Camellia can be grown as a shrub, espalier (flat against a wall), or small tree. As a shrub, it is ideal for use as a hedge or background plant, in groupings, and is especially nice as espalier (trained to grow flat against a wall.) When “limbed up” to form a small tree it serves well as an attractive and colorful specimen in landscape borders and home foundation plantings. Great for cottage gardens, cut flower gardens and woodland borders. Also suitable for containers that can be brought indoors overwinter for those who live above USDA Zone 6a, where not winter hardy. Find Your Zone
Spacing: 3.5 feet apart for solid hedge; 5.5 feet or more apart for space between plants
Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a, where this Camellia variety is not reliably winter hardy, you’ll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.
Growing Preferences
Camellia adapt well to various soil types however prefer a moist but well-drained acidic soil that is rich in organic matter. Constantly soggy soil is a slow killer. In general, Camellia grows and blooms better in partial shade with some shelter from the hot afternoon sun. Morning sun with afternoon shade or filtered sunlight is perfect. All-day filtered sun is fine.
Helpful Articles
Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, fertilize, prune and water Camellias.
Planting Camellias
Pruning Camellias
How To Fertilize & Water Camellias
How To Espalier Plants & Trees
*Espalier (pronounced: ih-spal-yay) …an ornamental shrub or tree that has been trained to grow flat against a wall, fence, or other vertical, flat surface.
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