- **Type**: Evergreen shrub

- **Height**: 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 meters), can reach up to 12 feet with age

- **Width**: 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters), sometimes up to 10 feet

- **Growth Habit**: Vigorous, compact, upright, and bushy

- **Foliage**:

- Glossy, dark green leaves

- 3 to 4 inches long (7.5 to 10 cm), 1.5 to 2 inches wide (4 to 5 cm)

- Oval-shaped with finely serrated edges

- Evergreen, providing year-round color

- **Flowers**:

- Large, full peony-form blooms

- Vibrant turkey red to deep coral-red petals

- Occasionally shows golden stamens among petals

- 4 to 5 inches in diameter (10 to 12.5 cm)

- Delightfully fragrant

- Bloom season: Mid-season, typically January to March (Northern Hemisphere) or June to August (Southern Hemisphere)

- **Light**: Partial shade (4 to 6 hours of morning sun, afternoon shade) or dappled shade; avoid harsh afternoon sun

- **Soil**:

- Acidic (pH 5.5 to 6.5)

- Well-drained, organically rich (amend with peat moss or compost if needed)

- **Watering**: Moderate; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to prevent root rot

- **Hardiness**: USDA Zones 7 to 9 (tolerates 0°F or -18°C with protection)

- **Wildlife**: Attracts bees and butterflies; not reliably deer-resistant

- **Care**:

- Fertilize with acid-loving plant fertilizer (e.g., 10-8-6) monthly in spring and summer

- Prune after flowering to shape or remove dead wood

- Mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature

- **Pests/Diseases**:

- Vulnerable to aphids, scale insects, and spider mites

- Susceptible to fungal issues like root rot or leaf spot in overly wet conditions

- **Uses**: Specimen plant, hedge, border, foundation planting, or large container accent

- **Growth Rate**: Moderate (6 to 12 inches per year), slows with maturity

This camellia’s a stunner with its big, fragrant red blooms and lush foliage—perfect for adding some winter-to-spring flair.