Camellia japonica
Waxy flowers in the depths of winter, against a lacquered evergreen foliage — Camellia is one of the most elegant bonsai species in existence.
What makes it unique. Camellia japonica flowers between November and April depending on the cultivar and climate — a period when almost no other bonsai species is in bloom. Its large waxy flowers, single, semi-double, or double, ranging from pure white to deep red through all shades of pink, possess a texture and formal perfection that recall porcelain flowers. Its evergreen leaves, deep glossy green and slightly leathery, constitute ornamental foliage in their own right, independent of flowering. These two qualities combined — decorative foliage year-round and spectacular winter flowering — make Camellia a rare bonsai with dual aesthetic interest.
Origin. Native to the temperate and subtropical forests of Japan, southern China, and Korea, Camellia japonica grows naturally in humid woodland understories and forested slopes with well-drained acidic soils. Cultivated in Japan for over a thousand years for its ornamental flowering and cultural symbolism — the camellia flower is associated with fleeting beauty and honor in Japanese culture — it was introduced to Europe in the 18th century and naturalized in mild Atlantic regions, where it can reach several metres in height. Belonging to the Theaceae family, it is the direct botanical cousin of Camellia sinensis, the tea plant.
A bonsai of patience and precision. Camellia is a slow-growing species that does not forgive timing errors — especially in pruning, which must imperatively be done after flowering or all flower buds will be sacrificed. It requires an acidic substrate and soft water, like azaleas. In return, a well-tended Camellia develops over the years a trunk of sober beauty, a finely textured grey bark, and a winter flowering that remains one of the most spectacular in the entire bonsai encyclopedia.
Waxy flowers in the depths of winter, against a lacquered evergreen foliage — Camellia is one of the most elegant bonsai species in existence.
What makes it unique. Camellia japonica flowers between November and April depending on the cultivar and climate — a period when almost no other bonsai species is in bloom. Its large waxy flowers, single, semi-double, or double, ranging from pure white to deep red through all shades of pink, possess a texture and formal perfection that recall porcelain flowers. Its evergreen leaves, deep glossy green and slightly leathery, constitute ornamental foliage in their own right, independent of flowering. These two qualities combined — decorative foliage year-round and spectacular winter flowering — make Camellia a rare bonsai with dual aesthetic interest.
Origin. Native to the temperate and subtropical forests of Japan, southern China, and Korea, Camellia japonica grows naturally in humid woodland understories and forested slopes with well-drained acidic soils. Cultivated in Japan for over a thousand years for its ornamental flowering and cultural symbolism — the camellia flower is associated with fleeting beauty and honor in Japanese culture — it was introduced to Europe in the 18th century and naturalized in mild Atlantic regions, where it can reach several metres in height. Belonging to the Theaceae family, it is the direct botanical cousin of Camellia sinensis, the tea plant.
A bonsai of patience and precision. Camellia is a slow-growing species that does not forgive timing errors — especially in pruning, which must imperatively be done after flowering or all flower buds will be sacrificed. It requires an acidic substrate and soft water, like azaleas. In return, a well-tended Camellia develops over the years a trunk of sober beauty, a finely textured grey bark, and a winter flowering that remains one of the most spectacular in the entire bonsai encyclopedia.