'Lady Clare' is a pink flowering camellia cultivar in the Theaceae (tea) family. It appeared as 'Akashigata' in 1898 in its native country of Japan. It was then imported into Europe by Louis van Toutte of Belgium. He in turn sold it to the Caledonia Nursery where it became knows as 'Lady Clare'. The semi-double flowers are showy and appear from mid to late winter. Their ruffled petals resemble crêpe paper, wrinkled and delicate. It boasts a distinct column of stamens. This low maintenance plant can be trimmed or pruned after its blooming period and before buds begin to set in the summer. Because blossoms appear on old growth, pruning later in the year may sacrifice next year’s blooms. It will tolerate a hard pruning. Makes a great container plant, however, is not winter hardy in colder climates. Cold, dry wind and frost can cause damage to the buds and flowers. Providing a sheltered location can protect from wind damage. Although mature plants are drought tolerant, newly planted should be kept watered until well established. Flowers and foliage tend to drop if the young plant is allowed to dry out. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Common insect issues include aphids, tea scale and vine weevil. Tea scale will appear as yellow blotches on the upper side of the foliage. Wet conditions can cause root rot. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common camellia diseases and insect pests. More information on Camellia japonica .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheCamellia japonica 'White by the Gate'Cedrus deodara 'Devinely Blue'Scutellaria suffrutescens
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect; Rounded; Spreading; Weeping
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The large, dark green leaves are smooth.
Flower color
Pink
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Head; Solitary
Flower shape
Saucer
Flower size
3-6 inches
Flower detail
Deep pink, 5", semi-double flowers. Its yellow stamens form as a cluster. The roots of the stamens are reddish.