R.L. Wheeler Camellia

Size

R.L. Wheeler Camellia turns late winter into peak season with large watermelon-red blooms. Camellia japonica 'R.L. Wheeler' produces semi-double flowers with a broad golden center of stamens, set against glossy dark evergreen foliage. Mature plants can bloom over a long season, with flowers appearing from late fall into early spring in mild climates. We find it especially satisfying as a cutting camellia because a single floating bloom can fill a shallow bowl with color.This Hall of Fame Award winner was introduced from Georgia gardens and grows into a large upright to rounded evergreen shrub. Young plants may look open at first, then fill out as branching matures. Use it as a shaded specimen, flowering privacy shrub, loose hedge, or an evergreen anchor near patios and winter-view windows. It is also a good container camellia where moisture, drainage, and root temperature can be managed closely.R.L. Wheeler Camellia CarePlant R.L. Wheeler Camellia in part shade, light shade, filtered shade, or morning sun with afternoon protection. It grows best in fertile, humus-rich loam with steady drainage and a deep organic mulch. Keep soil acidic to mildly acidic, generally around 5.5 to 6.5 pH.Water deeply after planting and continue whenever the top few inches of soil begin to dry. Established camellias need even moisture during bud formation and flowering, but standing water can damage roots. Feed from late winter or early spring through midsummer with a balanced slow-release fertilizer for acid-loving plants. Mulch 23 inches with shredded bark or pine needles, pulling mulch a few inches back from the stem.Prune after flowering ends in spring, before new flower buds begin forming for the next season. Remove crossing stems, thin crowded interior branches, or shorten long shoots to shape the plant without shearing away its natural form. Container plants may need protection during extended freezes, since frozen potting mix can injure roots even when the top growth looks fine.R.L. Wheeler Camellia SpacingSpace R.L. Wheeler Camellia 6 to 8 feet apart for a broad hedge, or 8 to 10 feet from nearby large shrubs when grown as a specimen. Train as a small tree by selecting a central leader and lightly staking during the first 12 years. Use a container at least 20 inches wide with drainage holes, and move up in size as the root ball fills the pot.In shaded acidic beds, pair this camellia with ferns, hostas, sweetspire, and mountain laurel for layered foliage and compatible moisture needs. For large containers, use Jacob's Ladder or bacopa near the edge where filtered light and regular watering are available.