Camellia japonica 'Hawaii' (Camellia)

Camellia japonica 'Hawaii' (Camellia), 'Hawaii', is valued for seasonal interest, structure, and the role it plays in PNW gardens.

Camellias are the iconic broadleaf evergreen shrubs of the southern garden, beloved for glossy dark leaves and rose-like winter or spring flowers in white, pink, or red. C. japonica blooms in late winter and spring; C. sasanqua in fall and early winter. Both thrive in PNW coastal gardens.

Part shade to dappled shade suits this species. Plant in moist, well-drained, humus-rich, acidic soil. Hardy USDA Zone 7 to 9. Site sheltered from hot afternoon sun and cold drying winds. Plant high in acidic, well-drained soil; mulch lightly with pine fines. Watch for petal blight on flowers, scale insects, and root rot in poorly drained sites. Generally trouble-free in PNW gardens once sited well.

For a Pacific Northwest native flowering shrub of similar character, consider Philadelphus lewisii (Mock Orange, Idaho state flower) for fragrant white spring blooms, or Holodiscus discolor (Oceanspray) for cascading cream-white summer panicles supporting native pollinators.