Yuletide Camellia - 3 Gallon

Transform your landscape with festive color that arrives just in time for the holidays.

The Yuletide Camellia is an upright evergreen shrub that produces brilliant red single blooms with striking golden centers from late fall into early winter. This Southern favorite is celebrated for brightening the garden when few other plants are flowering. With its dense, glossy green foliage, upright form, and reliable blooms, Yuletide Camellia makes a perfect hedge, foundation planting, or focal point shrub. Its evergreen leaves provide structure and year-round beauty, while its seasonal flowers add a burst of holiday cheer to your landscape.

Why You'll Love the Yuletide Camellia

Holiday Season Blooms: Produces bright red flowers with golden stamens in late fall through early winter, providing rare color during the colder months.

Evergreen Beauty: Glossy, deep green foliage offers structure and year-round visual appeal.

Versatile Uses: Works beautifully as a hedge, screen, specimen plant, or in mixed shrub borders.

Low-Maintenance Landscaping: Naturally deer-resistant, drought-tolerant once established, and adaptable to various garden settings.

Landscape Impact: Upright, dense growth habit creates a bold statement in both traditional and modern gardens.

Yuletide Camellia Details

Botanical Name: Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’
Type: Evergreen flowering shrub
Mature Size: 8–10 ft tall × 6–8 ft wide
Growth Rate: Moderate
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil
Water: Moderate; consistent moisture during establishment
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7, 8, 9, 10

Growing Conditions

Soil Adaptability: Thrives in acidic, well-draining soils (pH 5.0–6.5). Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged conditions. Applying an acid-loving plant fertilizer twice a year enhances performance.

Light Requirements: Prefers full sun to partial shade. Best results come with 4–6 hours of morning sun and afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates.

Hardiness: Zones 7–10, making it well-suited for much of the Southeast and coastal regions. Protect young plants from harsh freezes in colder zones.

Care Instructions

Watering: Maintain consistent soil moisture, especially during the first growing season. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Pruning: Light pruning after flowering encourages bushier growth and maintains shape. Avoid heavy pruning during late summer to winter, as buds form in fall.

Fertilizing: Use a camellia or azalea fertilizer in early spring and again in midsummer for best bloom and foliage color.

Landscaping Uses

Versatile Applications: The Yuletide Camellia is ideal for:

• Festive holiday focal points

• Evergreen hedges or privacy screens

• Foundation plantings

• Mixed shrub borders

• Container gardening on patios and entryways

Strategic Placement: Plant near entryways, outdoor living areas, or along walkways to enjoy the seasonal color up close during the holidays. Its glossy foliage ensures it remains attractive even when not in bloom.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant Yuletide Camellias for a hedge?
Space 5–6 feet apart for a seamless hedge or privacy screen.

When does Yuletide Camellia bloom?
It flowers from late fall through early winter, often peaking right around the holiday season.

Is Yuletide Camellia easy to care for?
Yes, it is low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and drought-tolerant once established. With proper placement and minimal care, it will thrive for decades.

Can Yuletide Camellia be grown in containers?
Absolutely! Its upright, moderate size makes it an excellent choice for decorative containers, particularly near patios, porches, or garden entrances.