Camellia japonica 'Tom Knudsen' (Camellia)

Camellia japonica is a woody, evergreen shrub originally native to upland forest understories of eastern Asia and noted for its beautiful, showy flowers which differ greatly between cultivars. While some cultivars may be shorter, it is important to dedicate a lot of space to camellias when planting, as mature specimens require a lot of room for root spread in the soil, and plants can reach sizes of up 12' tall and wide.

Developed in Sylmar, California in the 1950s, 'Tom Knudsen' is an excellent showy camellia cultivar noted for its large, round scarlet red flowers. 'Tom Knudsen' is a great late-season bloomer, so you should see blooms from late winter to early spring, where bright red flower, glossy leaves, and a dusting of snow make an excellent impression in the landscape.

Due to their native upland forest habitat, camellias prefer part-shade conditions and moist, slightly acidic soils with a good amount of organic matter. With glossy, evergreen leaves and flowers that attract a great deal of early season pollinators, camellias are a great non-native introduction to any landscape that double as shelter for overwintering birds.