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April Kiss Camellia
Camellia japonica 'April Kiss'
Camellia April Kiss Shrubs produce a nearly continuous display of Rose Pink, perfectly-formed, formal Camellia flowers over an extended period from early to late season in our gardens. A long-time favorite with an upright to rounded habit. The contrasting, dark green foliage creates the perfect foil for the rose pink flowers.
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Camellia April Kiss Shrubs for Sale Online
Camellia April Kiss (Camellia japonica) is a very popular evergreen shrub with small-medium formal double flowers in early spring. Compact, with a moderate growth rate. Great as a patio plant, screen, or in a mixed border.
Camellia japonica and most of its cultivars are considered to be winter hardy to USDA Zones 6-9. Even where winter-hardy, unusually cold temperatures in winter, particularly when occurring as a sudden temperature change, can damage or sometimes kill these plants.
Where winter-hardy, Camellia April Kiss evergreen flowering shrubs should be grown in moist, acidic, organically rich, well-drained soils in part shade. Consistent and even moisture is important. Avoid wet soils. Plants require protection from direct afternoon sun and wind. The best location may be a sun-dappled part shade. Best with a root mulch.
Near the northern parts of their growing range, plants should be sited in sheltered and protected microclimates such as near the south side of a home or building. Burlap wraps are sometimes helpful. Plants generally dislike changes in temperature, irregular watering, or being moved. Even a change in the humidity can cause plants to drop buds.
Fertilize monthly in spring and summer. If desired, remove all but one bud from each cluster to increase the size of the flower. Prune immediately after flowering.
| Hardiness Zone: | 6-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 8 to 10 feet |
| Mature Width: | 6 to 8 feet |
| Classification: | Broad leaved evergreen shrub, Spring flowering |
| Sunlight: | Part Sun to Shade |
| Habit: | Evergreen, densely branched |
| Flower Color: | Rose Pink flowers in very early spring |
| Foliage: | Dark green |
| Soil Condition: | Any well drained soil |
| Water Requirements: | Water well until established |
| Uses: | Extremely attractive when used as a focal point in the mixed border, mass planting, or a specimen planting. Provides unmatched winter interest due to its flowering in the late winter |
How to Care for April Kiss Camellia
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy plant for years to come!
Planting Camellia April Kiss Shrubs
We suggest when planting your newly purchased Camellia April Kiss plants that you dig a hole twice as wide as the root system but not deeper. Depending on the quality of your existing soil, you may need to add a locally-sourced compost or topsoil to the backfill soil. We do not recommend using straight topsoil or compost as a backfill soil for Camellia April Kiss shrubs because more times than not these products will retain entirely to much moisture and will cause the root system to rot. Adding compost or topsoil will help the young feeder roots of Camellia April Kiss spread through the loose, nutrient-rich soil much easier than if you used solely the existing soil, which more times than not will be hard and compacted. The most common cause of plant death after transplanting is planting the new plant too deep. That is why we do not recommend planting in a hole any deeper than the soil line of the plant in the pot. A good rule is that you should still be able to see the soil the plant was grown in after back-filling the hole.
How do I water Camellia April Kiss Shrubs?
After back filling and lightly compacting the 50/50 mix of existing soil and compost give the Camellia April Kiss a good, deep watering. This is not to be rushed. Most of the water you put on the plant at first will run away from the plant until the soil is soaked. A general rule of thumb is to count to 5 for every one gallon of pot size. For example, a one gallon pot would be watered until you count to 5; a three gallon pot would be 15; and so on. Check the plant daily for the first week or so and then every other day there after. Water using the counting method for the first few weeks.
How do I fertilize Camellia April Kiss Shrubs?
Camellias are one of the slowest growing and yet one of the most desirable ornamental plants available today. In order for camellias to give their maximum performance, certain fertilization requirements must be met. Despite their slow growth patterns, camellias such as Camellia April Kiss are considered to be heavy feeders. Bio-tone starter fertilizer is a great starter fertilizer that provides plants with mycorrhizae fungus. It is a naturally-occurring, beneficial fungus that colonizes on the new growing roots of plants. It creates a barrier between the roots of the plant and fungus and pathogens that can cause root rot. We love this product and use it on all plants we install in our own gardens. Bio-tone is a gardener's best friend and can help guarantee your success.
How should I mulch my Camellia April Kiss Shrubs?
We highly recommend that you mulch your Camellia April Kiss with either a ground hardwood mulch or a ground cypress mulch depending on your local availability. Any type of mulch will do, but cypress or hardwood mulch will be of a higher quality and provide better nutrition overall as they breakdown. Mulching helps to keep weeds away that will compete with your new investment for water and nutrients. A 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch is sufficient, but remember to take care not to cover any part of the stem of the plant with mulch. It's better to leave a one-inch gap of space between the mulch and the stem or trunk of the plant.
