About
Camellia 'Free Spirit' is a compact, upright evergreen shrub known for its reasonably vigorous growth and open structure. It features deep green leaves and produces prominent, dark red double blooms composed of numerous overlapping petals. These flowers are on display for an extended period, typically from January to April.
About the genus
Camellia consists of evergreen shrubs featuring smooth, oval leaves that are glossy and leathery. These plants produce prominent flowers, which may appear either singly or in clusters, primarily in the early part of the year.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full shade, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, West-facing, North-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Suitable for woodland and acidic soils. Position in a site sheltered from cold, dry winds and early morning sun as buds and flowers may be damaged by cold winds and late frosts see camellia cultivation
- Pruning
- Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, scale insects and vine weevil
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), phytophthora root rot, camellia gall, camellia leaf blight, camellia yellow mottle virus and flowers and camellia petal blight