Images Depict Mature Plants
Camellia Kramer's Supreme
Camellia japonica 'Kramers Supreme'
Kramer's Supreme Camellia is one of my go-to “winter wow” shrubs—deep, rosy-red blooms when the garden needs color most, plus glossy evergreen leaves that make beds look finished every single month of the year. Give it well-drained soil, a little shelter from harsh afternoon sun, and steady moisture while it gets established, and it’ll reward you with a long bloom season and a truly classic look.
Take 20% OFF SITEWIDE.
Use Coupon Code: EARLYBIRD20
📦 Free shipping on orders over $99.
Delay shipping by leaving us a message at Checkout.
Share:
Kramer's Supreme Camellia For Rosy-Red Peony Blooms, Glossy Evergreen Structure, And High-End Part-Shade Color
A Bold Red Bloom Season That Steals The Show In Late Winter
Kramer's Supreme Camellia is the kind of shrub that makes your landscape feel alive when most gardens are still quiet. Its large, rose-like, peony-form blooms open in a striking rosy red, creating a rich focal point from late winter through early spring. The flowers appear over an extended window, so you get a real “bloom season,” not a blink-and-it 's-gone moment. If you crave color during the cold months, this is a signature plant.
The contrast is what makes it unforgettable: vivid red blooms against dark, glossy green foliage. Plant it where you’ll actually see the show—near an entry, along a walkway, or outside a main window. Even one plant reads as intentional, and when you repeat it in a border or foundation line, it adds that curated, classic garden look that never goes out of style.
Glossy Evergreen Foliage That Anchors Beds All Year Long
Beyond bloom, Kramer's Supreme earns its place with a broadleaf evergreen structure. The leaves are deep green, leathery, and naturally polished-looking, which gives garden beds “finished” energy in every season. In spring and summer, it becomes a refined backdrop for perennials and shade color. In fall and winter, it provides the backbone that keeps landscapes from feeling bare.
This is also a great shrub for creating layers in part-shade beds: camellia as the evergreen middle story, with lower perennials in front and taller trees or screens behind. The result is a landscape that looks full, stable, and thoughtfully designed year-round—then it surprises you with dramatic red blooms when you least expect it.
Reliable Performance In Partial Shade With Smart Siting
Camellias love protection, and Kramer's Supreme performs best in partial shade, especially with gentle morning light and shelter from harsh afternoon sun. That balance helps flowers hold color longer and keeps foliage looking lush instead of stressed. If you have a spot near a wall, fence, or under high tree canopy with bright, filtered light, you’re already in the camellia sweet spot.
Soil and drainage are the real keys. Aim for well-drained soil that leans slightly acidic and is enriched with organic matter. A mulch ring helps stabilize moisture and keeps roots cool, which camellias appreciate. Give it consistent moisture while it establishes, and you’ll be rewarded with a vigorous evergreen shrub that blooms reliably and looks upscale in every season.
A Natural Choice For Elegant Hedges And Deer-Resistant Structure
Kramer's Supreme Camellia works beautifully as a flowering evergreen hedge—dense enough to define space, refined enough for foundation lines, and showy enough to feel luxurious. It’s also commonly considered deer resistant, which helps protect those glossy leaves in many landscapes (no plant is truly deer-proof, but camellias are often lower on the browse list).
For hedge success, spacing and airflow matter as much as pruning. Set plants with enough room to mature, then shape lightly after flowering to keep the hedge full and clean. The payoff is a living screen that stays green year-round, then delivers an unforgettable red-bloom season when typical evergreen hedges offer nothing but foliage.
| Hardiness Zone: | 7-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 6 to 8 Feet |
| Mature Width: | 5 to 6 Feet |
| Sunlight: | Full sun to part shade (best with afternoon protection) |
| Bloom Time / Color | Late winter to early spring; rosy-red, peony-form blooms |
| Soil Condition: | Well-drained; performs best slightly acidic, organic-rich |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate; water well until established |
| Wildlife Value | Early-season pollinator interest |
| Resistance (deer/disease/drought/etc.) | Deer resistant (not deer-proof); low maintenance once established |
| Landscape Uses | Specimen, mixed borders, evergreen hedge/screen, foundation plantings, woodland edges, large containers |
How to Care for Camellia Kramer's Supreme
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Camellia Kramer's Supreme plant for years to come!
How should I plant Kramer's Supreme Camellia?
Plant Kramer's Supreme Camellia in well-drained soil in a site with partial shade or morning sun with afternoon protection. Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper, then set the plant so the top of the root ball is level with (or slightly above) the surrounding soil. Backfill, firm gently, and water deeply to settle the soil around the roots. Finish with a 2–3 inch mulch layer over the root zone to hold moisture and keep roots cool, keeping mulch a few inches away from the trunk. If your soil is heavy or tends to stay wet, improve drainage before planting and avoid low spots—camellias do best when roots stay evenly moist, not waterlogged.
How often should I water Kramer's Supreme Camellia after planting?
Water thoroughly right after planting, then water deeply once or twice per week during the first growing season, adjusting for rainfall and heat. The goal is consistently moist soil (not soggy), so roots expand beyond the original root ball. A slow soak at the base is ideal because it pushes moisture deeper into the soil and encourages stronger rooting. After the first year, water during extended dry spells rather than on a strict schedule. Check the soil a few inches down; if it feels dry, water deeply. Consistent moisture is especially helpful in late summer and fall, when camellias are forming buds that become next season’s flowers.
When should I fertilize Kramer's Supreme Camellia?
Fertilize in early spring just before or as new growth begins, using a slow-release fertilizer formulated for camellias, azaleas, or other acid-loving plants. Apply around the drip line (not against the trunk) and water in well to move nutrients into the root zone. If you’re improving soil health long-term, top-dress with compost in spring and refresh mulch to support steady growth and moisture balance. Avoid heavy late-season feeding, which can push tender growth at the wrong time and reduce the plant’s ability to focus on bud development.
When and how should I prune Kramer's Supreme Camellia?
Prune right after flowering finishes. Camellia japonica sets next season’s flower buds later in the year, so post-bloom pruning lets you shape the shrub without cutting off future blooms. Start by removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches, then thin lightly to improve airflow and reduce crowding. Avoid hard shearing. Instead, use selective cuts to shorten a few long shoots and refine the outline while keeping a natural form. If you’re growing it as a hedge, do one thoughtful trim after flowering, then let it grow so it can set buds and build density for next season’s bloom show.
