Evergreen

Yuletide camellia

Camellia × vernalis 'Yuletide'

Yuletide camellia brightens the cooler flowering season with red blooms and golden centers against glossy evergreen foliage. Its upright form can reach 8 to 10 feet tall and wide, making a substantial screen or border feature rather than a small entrance shrub. Place it where fall and winter flowers can be enjoyed with shelter from drying wind. Filtered sun or partial shade and acidic, organic, freely draining soil are good starting points. In Southwest Washington, mulch and dependable summer watering complement protected winter placement. Prune after flowering if needed, and inspect sticky or darkened foliage for scale before choosing treatment.

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At a glance

Mature height: 8–10 ft
Mature spread: 8–10 ft
Light: Filtered sun to partial shade
Hardiness: USDA Zones 7–10; sheltered site

The right plant, the right place

Make room for something good.

Winter flowers add interest to a shrub border or evergreen screen, and the plant can also be trained against a wall. Allow room for a substantial, year-round shrub.

Where to plant

Allow around 8–10 feet for height and spread unless a training plan is in place. Choose filtered sun or partial shade, with protection from drying winter wind and harsh afternoon exposure.

Through the seasons

Single red flowers with yellow centers appear in fall and winter. Flowering time varies with conditions, and glossy evergreen foliage remains after the display.

Southwest Washington gardens

Give it a good start.

A sheltered maritime garden can suit 'Yuletide' well when drainage and summer moisture are reliable. Avoid cold wind pockets, and check how exposed the site becomes during winter storms.

Soil, drainage & water

Use acidic, organic soil that holds moisture but drains freely. Mulch the root area and water regularly during establishment, with attention to dry spells in late summer and autumn.

A little care goes a long way

Growing well, season after season.

Shape after flowering when needed, and avoid deep cultivation around the roots. Monitor soil moisture through dry weather, especially where nearby planting or a container limits the available water.

Know what to look for