camellia desire japonica

Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

Camellia 'Desire', formally known as camellia desire japonica, is an elegant evergreen shrub beloved in New Zealand gardens for its luxurious double blooms and reliable performance. This stunning japonica variety features soft pink peony-style flowers edged in white, appearing in autumn and winter when few other plants are in full show. The glossy, dark green foliage offers year-round interest, providing a lush backdrop in shrub borders, hedges, and even large containers. With its classic form and romantic colouring, Camellia 'Desire' brings a timeless beauty to any garden.

Camellia 'Desire'

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Camellia 'Desire' is a beautiful evergreen shrub admired for its soft pink blooms delicately edged with deeper rose tones. Flowering from late winter into spring, it adds elegant colour and charm to New Zealand gardens when little else is in bloom. The glossy dark green foliage provides structure throughout the year, making this variety an excellent choice for feature planting, hedging, or brightening sheltered outdoor spaces.

Buy Camellia 'Desire'

From $37.73

Suited to regions:
Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type:
Shrubs
Height:
2.50 m
Spread:
2.00 m
Flowering time:
Spring, Winter
Garden uses:
Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles:
Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

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Why Grow Camellia Desire Japonica?

Camellia desire japonica is a top choice for both experienced and novice gardeners. It adapts well to the New Zealand climate, thriving in part-shade to full shade and preferring well-drained, slightly acidic soil. This camellia variety boasts outstanding disease resistance and moderate growth, making it low maintenance and long-lived. The compact, upright habit of Camellia 'Desire' suits both formal and informal planting schemes, and it can be lightly trimmed to maintain your ideal shape. Whether grown as a specimen plant or an evergreen screen, its ornate flowers will reward you year after year.

Planting and Care Tips

To ensure your camellia desire japonica flourishes, choose a sheltered spot away from harsh afternoon sun and strong winds. Dig in plenty of organic matter when planting, and mulch annually to keep roots cool and moisture in. Camellias dislike lime and prefer regular, gentle feeding during the growing season with a specialised camellia fertiliser. Water deeply during dry spells, particularly while buds are forming. Prune lightly after flowering to shape the shrub and remove any spindly or damaged growth.

Styling Camellia Desire Japonica in Your Garden

The elegant blooms of Camellia 'Desire' are ideal for classic woodland schemes and Japanese-inspired gardens. They pair beautifully with companion shrubs such as Azalea Apple Blossom (Apple Blossom Azalea) for a soft pastel palette, or with the striking plum foliage of Loropetalum chinense var Rubrum. In mixed shrub borders, Camellia 'Desire' harmonises with hydrangeas, dwarf pittosporums like Pittosporum Little Burger (Dwarf Pittosporum), or distinctive foliage plants such as Pittosporum Pom Pom.

For collectors or those looking to create a camellia feature, consider pairing Camellia 'Desire' with other exquisite japonica varieties, such as Camellia 'Ballet Dancer', Camellia 'Black Lace', Camellia 'Black Tie', Camellia 'Brushfields Yellow', or Camellia 'Buttons and Bows'. Each brings its own unique flower form and colour, ensuring a display from early autumn through winter.

Order Your Camellia Desire Japonica

Add timeless charm and winter colour to your landscape with camellia desire japonica. Our healthy, well-established plants are grown locally for success in New Zealand gardens. Browse our range of companion shrubs and related camellia varieties to complement your design and foster a garden that thrives all year round.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.