Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Camellia japonica 'Elegans Splendor'
Elegans Splendor Camellia
- Family
- Theaceae
- Height
- 8 ft to 12 ft
- Width
- 6 ft to 8 ft
- Flower color
- Large soft pink peony form flowers with petaloid centers and layered petals
- Foliage color
- Glossy deep green leaves with a leathery texture and dense evergreen habit
- Bloom time
- Late winter to spring
- Light
- Partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; prune lightly after flowering to shape and remove damaged branches
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 7 to 9
- Wildlife
- Pollinators attracted to pollen and sheltered evergreen cover for birds
About this plant
Camellia japonica 'Elegans Splendor' produces large, formal double flowers in soft shell pink, opening from late winter into spring with layered petals surrounding creamy white petaloids at the center. Glossy, deep green leaves are thick and leathery, creating a dense evergreen canopy with a polished appearance throughout the year. The flowers are held prominently among the foliage, their intricate petal arrangement adding texture and depth during the blooming season.
Originating from garden selections of a species native to Japan, this cultivar reflects breeding focused on ornate floral form and extended seasonal display. It is well suited to woodland borders, specimen plantings, and foundation gardens, where its evergreen presence and late-season flowering bring color and structure to the landscape.
Works well in
Foundation Plantings · Specimen Plants · Woodland Gardens · Shade Gardens
Companion plants
Skimmia · Japanese forest grass · Epimedium · Pieris · Trillium · Foamflower
Design tip
A large camellia can bring welcome structure to a shady garden while creating a beautiful backdrop for smaller plants. Layer lower shrubs and perennials around its base, using soft greens and subtle textures to complement the shell-pink flowers without distracting from their elegant display.
