Camellia Japonica Ascona

Camellia Japonica Ascona is an evergreen camellia that suits acidic flower borders and well-watered plant containers. It has single rich-red flowers and glossy green leaves. It’s hard to find in the UK and a great gift for lovers of rare plants.

Camellia Japonica is native to the Far East including Japan, China and Korea. Illustrations of camellias are found on 11^th century Chinese pottery, and the first live camellia was brought to Europe in the 18^th century. Camellias enjoy our cooler climate and many varieties exist. The cultivar Camilla Ascona was bred in 1985 in Switzerland (and takes its name from the town in Lake Maggiore). It is enjoyed for its lovely simple red flowers. Its blooms are single, open and bright red measuring around 8 cms across with floaty yellow stamens. Its deep glossy green foliage is present year-round with new foliage emerging in early spring in pale green before maturing to match the established leaves. Its blooms arrive in early February to March and are often one of the first things to open in an early spring garden.

Camelia Ascona is a simple yet well-establish red-flowering camellia and a joy in early spring. It suits modern homes that like clean lines and frill-free flowers.

Height And Spread of Camellia Japonica Ascona
Camellia Ascona reaches a maximum height and spread of 2.5 metres but can be kept smaller with a yearly prune.

How Hardy Is Camellia Japonica Ascona
If the roots are well-drained and they’re not planted in full south-facing sun, Camellia Japonica shrubs are hardy in UK winters.

How To use Camellia Japonica Ascona
Camellia Ascona is a versatile camellia that suits Japanese themes, rock or gravel gardens, low maintenance spaces, country cottage borders and modern urban homes with its year-round deep green foliage and simple red flowers. It will also grow in a well-watered and fed container to perk up your balcony, patio, deck or courtyard.

How To Care For Camellia Japonica Ascona
Camellia Japonica needs acidic soil and will struggle to grow in chalky gardens. You can improve your soil with ericaceous compost but if it’s very shallow and chalky it’s best to grow Ascona in a container of ericaceous compost that’s raised up on feet for good drainage.

Choose a frost-free position that’s out of the burning sun and be sure to cover the shrub in horticultural fleece if a hard frost is forecast. A west, east or north-facing spot is best.

There’s no need to prune it, but you can restrict the size by cutting back new growth after the flowers are spent in mid to late spring.

Water well until established and add a thick layer of pine or bracken-based mulch in spring to boost nutrients and trap moisture.
More on the History of Camellias on our blog post.