Camellia japonica 'Pope John XXIII'
The best-performing and toughest formal white variety, ‘Pope John XXIII‘, is an elegant evergreen shrub celebrated for its large, pure white blooms that appear from late winter to early spring. The flowers are typically formal double, featuring layers of perfectly arranged, ruffled petals that create a full, rounded shape. Its dark green, glossy, oval-shaped foliage provides a striking contrast to the bright white flowers, making this variety a standout choice for formal garden settings.
Cultural
Camellia japonica prefers a sheltered location, avoid direct afternoon sun that can scorch its leaves and flowers.
Soil:
Prefers a slightly acidic, well-drained soil.
Aspect:
Part shade.
Maintenance:
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and to remove any dead or damaged growth. Be cautious of cutting off developing buds. Apply a Camellia-specific fertiliser in spring to promote healthy growth. Susceptible to aphids, spider mites, and scale insects- treat as required.
Water Requirements:
Will not tolerate extended dry periods, ensure adequate watering.
Seasonal Interest:
Winter to spring flowering.
Landscape Uses
A versatile plant with several valuable landscape uses. Its elegant flowers and glossy foliage make it an attractive feature plant in garden beds or borders. When planted in a row, it can form a dense, evergreen hedge or screen, providing privacy and shelter while adding year-round greenery. It is also well-suited to container planting, making it a great choice for patios, balconies, and courtyards, where it can be showcased as a potted specimen. Its classic beauty and long flowering season complement traditional and cottage-style gardens, and it pairs beautifully with Azalea, Pieris, and Helleborus.
Dimensions
Height to 2.5m
Width to 2.0m
Width to 2.0m