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Key characteristics

Family: Theaceae
Height: 4 to 12 ft
Width: 6 to 10 ft
Flower color: Salmon-rose to rose-pink, often with soft pink streaking
Foliage color: Glossy, dark-green evergreen leaves
Bloom time: Late winter through early to mid spring
Light: Morning sun to part shade or filtered sun
Water: Regular moisture
Maintenance: Low to moderate, prune lightly after flowering to shape, and thin branches
Growing zone: USDA zones 7a to 9b
Wildlife: Early-season flowers may provide pollen/nectar for pollinators; evergreen foliage offers shelter for birds and small wildlife

Shrubs

Camellia japonica 'Drama Girl'

Drama Girl Camellia

Camellia japonica 'Drama Girl' is an evergreen shrub with glossy dark green leaves that set the stage for abundant semi-double flowers. Each blossom opens in deep salmon-rose to rose-pink tones, often streaked with softer pink highlights and centered with golden stamens. The blooms can reach up to about 6.5 inches across and appear from mid-winter through early to mid-spring, creating months of floral presence in a partially shaded garden.

Light

Morning sun to part shade or filtered sun

Water

Regular moisture

Bloom time

Late winter through early to mid spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Foundation Plantings
Specimen Plants
Woodland Gardens
Shade Gardens

Companion plants

Sweet box · Bleeding heart · Pieris · Foam flower · Lungwort · Ajuga

Design tip

Oversized flowers like these can turn a quiet, shady corner into one of the garden’s most memorable spring moments. Position this camellia where its blooms are easy to admire, then keep neighboring plants simpler and lower so they complement rather than compete.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)