An open-faced flower
Broad petals reveal golden stamens and give the bloom a natural lively expression.
Camellia 'Dr King' 15cm
Normal price
€10,00
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The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Camellia japonica ‘Dr King’
Evergreen foliage, vivid flowers, zero boredom 🌺
- Large red flowers
- Semi-double flower form
- Golden centre
- Upright evergreen habit
Camellia japonica ‘Dr King’ combines an aristocratic stance with a red flower that remains lively and approachable. Large semi-double blooms open with broad petals and a golden centre, standing clearly above dark polished foliage. This classical Australian cultivar has a full presence and a flowering display that seems designed to illuminate sheltered winter corners.
Its upright dense habit holds an elegant line by an entrance, in a partially shaded courtyard or in a large pot and, as it matures, gains the authority of a small evergreen specimen shrub. The light-red flowers are vivid enough to lead, yet soft enough to combine with cream, copper and fresh spring greens.
What makes it special
Three characteristics explain why this cultivar genuinely stands out: its principal colour display, its particular natural habit and the value it retains beyond a single season.
A cultivar with history
‘Dr King’ was recorded in Australia in 1944 and remains recognisable for its colour and form.
Elegant upright growth
The dense crown supplies evergreen height and structure without spreading untidily.
Why you will love it: Large light-red flowers, a golden centre and substantial evergreen elegance.
In the garden & on the balcony Placement & plant combinations Place it where the golden flower centres can receive gentle morning or filtered light.
Classical ‘Dr King’ in bright partial shade
Use it as a specimen near an entrance, in the middle to rear layer of a border or in a large pot sheltered from afternoon heat and cold winds.
In a group, allow about 1.8–2m from centre to centre. In a pot, keep open space around the crown for even light and air movement.
Combinations that work
Combine light red, gold, cream and deep green in sheltered partial shade, with acid compost and consistently cool moisture.
- Sarcococca confusa — Shares sheltered partial shade and adds a fine winter fragrance beneath the camellia’s substantial evergreen presence.
- Hakonechloa macra — Brightens the base with soft moving texture in cool soil and filtered light.
- Heuchera — Provides low foliage and colour continuity without hiding the flowers or glossy outline of the camellia.
Care at a glance
Light
Bright partial shade or gentle morning sun, with shelter from hot midday light, drying winds and sudden changes.
Watering
Even, cool moisture without waterlogging; pay particular attention from summer through bud development.
Climate & hardiness
Evergreen and broadly within RHS H5 hardiness in a sheltered position. In a pot, roots and buds need more care during prolonged frost.
Safety
This page covers ornamental use. Do not consume flowers or leaves without certain identification, and keep pruning tools clean.
Detailed careComplete care guideBright partial shade, shelter, acid soil, pots, watering, feeding, buds and light pruning
Light & shelter
Place in bright partial shade or gentle morning sun, sheltered from hot midday light, drying winds and sudden early sun after frost.
Acid soil & planting
It needs organic, acid to neutral soil that holds cool moisture yet drains freely. Plant shallowly, keeping the root surface level with the surrounding soil.
Growing in a pot
Choose a roomy outdoor pot with excellent drainage and an ericaceous growing medium. Avoid moving into an excessively large pot, as unused compost is slow to dry.
Watering & buds
Maintain even moisture, especially from summer through bud development. Water thoroughly when the surface begins to dry and always allow excess water to escape.
Feeding acid-loving plants
Use an ericaceous fertiliser sparingly after flowering and in early summer, applying it only to already moist compost. Stop late feeding so new growth can ripen.
Pruning & flower protection
The natural habit needs very little pruning. Clean or correct lightly just after flowering and shelter buds and flowers from cold, drying air.
Development over timeFrom a young plant to a mature camelliaCorrect establishment gradually gives way to characteristic branching, verified mature scale and the cultivar’s full seasonal rhythm.
Root establishment
After planting, growth may remain slower while the root system settles. Correct moisture and a sheltered microclimate build the base for dense future growth.
The natural habit becomes clear
Main stems branch gradually to form an upright, dense, bushy habit. Its natural line is best maintained with light correction rather than rigid clipping.
A mature seasonal rhythm
With maturity it repeats its principal display every year: large light-red semi-double flowers from late winter through spring.
Mature form & dimensions
Mature shrubHeight 2–2.5mSpread 1.5–2mUpright, dense crown
Main stems rise upright and carry shorter lateral branches. Glossy foliage fills the narrower crown, where broad light-red petals leave the golden stamens visible.
Form through time
EvergreenWithout flowersAscending shoots and dark leaves retain the structure.
Late winter–springBroad semi-double flowers open on the leafy shoots.
The camellia keeps its foliage after flowering finishes. Flowers change the appearance of the crown, while its upright framework remains.
What to expect after planting: Growth may be restrained through the first season while roots establish. In a suitable position in open ground it reaches approximately 2–2.5m in height and 1.5–2m in spread (maturity 15–20 years). Growth in a pot is usually more restrained and depends on available root space. Season and microclimate determine whether the plant arrives with flowers, buds, fresh growth or a quieter crown.
History & origin Cultivar origin The Australian catalogue entry of 1944
In 1944, ‘Dr King’ appeared in the catalogue of Australia’s Camellia Grove Nursery: a camellia with large light-red, semi-double flowers and upright bushy growth. That entry gives the cultivar’s story a specific starting point.
The original breeder, parentage and person commemorated in the name remain uncertain. The old description, however, preserves a clear picture: broad petals, an open centre and an upright evergreen shrub flowering in the middle of the camellia season.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
What semi-double means
A semi-double camellia has more than one row of petals, while the golden stamens remain visible at the centre—distinguishing it from formal-double forms.
Frequently asked questions
Six practical answers covering light, watering, pots, mature size, pruning and seasonal behaviour.
01What light is best in Greece?
Bright partial shade or gentle morning sun, with shelter from hot midday light, drying winds and sudden changes.
02Does it need special soil?
It needs organic, acid to neutral, freely draining soil. In strongly alkaline water or soil, younger leaves may show chlorosis.
03Can it remain in a pot?
Yes, in ericaceous compost and a pot with excellent drainage. Gradual repotting and even moisture matter more than an excessively large pot.
04How large does it become?
In a suitable position in open ground it reaches approximately 2–2.5m in height and 1.5–2m in spread (maturity 15–20 years). Growth in a pot is usually more restrained and depends on available root space.
05When does it flower?
Its principal flowering period is late winter to spring. Exact timing depends on microclimate and the maturity of the buds.
06Why might flower buds drop?
Sudden drought, large moisture fluctuations, hot drying air or a move into an unsuitable microclimate can trigger bud drop. Stable conditions are the goal.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.