Camellia japonica 'Nuccio's Pearl', a color-changing Japanese camellia
Camellia japonica ‘Nuccio’s Pearl’
- Exposures
- Half-shade, Shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 7b (-15°C ≤ T° < -12.2°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Theaceae
- Genus
- Camellia
- Species
- Japanese Camellia Camellia japonica
Camellia japonica 'Nuccio's Pearl' belongs to the Theaceae family. This Japanese Camellia cultivar will treat you to a whole spectrum of colors. Its pink flowers change shade throughout the blooming period.
How can you recognize Camellia japonica 'Nuccio's Pearl'?
Camellia japonica 'Nuccio's Pearl' is a bushy shrub with an upright growth habit. Smaller than camellia 'Nuccio's Jewel, it does not exceed two meters in height and one meter in width at maturity.
It rarely has a single trunk, and its sturdy, woody stem has numerous branches.
The dark green leaves are alternate, rounded, and leathery. They measure between five and eight centimeters long.
The 'Nuccio's Pearl' camellia blooms from February through April. Its double or semi-double flowers have a diameter of six to ten centimeters. They consist of pointed white petals that are perfectly interlocking. The pink petals are edged with fuchsia at the beginning of flowering. They then fade to a pinkish-white by the end.
Neither the flowers nor the leaves of Camellia japonica 'Nuccio's Pearl' are toxic to humans or pets. You can plant and handle it without concern.
Our care tips
Nuccio's Pearl' Camellias are not difficult plants to care for. But they hate limestone. You need to provide them with acid soil and water them with rainwater.
Watering
Nuccio's Pearl' Camellias can withstand neither drought nor excess water.
Before watering, check the condition of the potting soil. The surface must be at least one centimeter dry.
Before watering, check the condition of the potting soil. The surface must be at least one centimeter dry.
Repotting
Get a pierced pot that's wider than it is tall. Roots tend to spread out rather than grow deep. Fill the bottom with clay balls to optimize drainage.
Nuccio's Pearl' Camellias grow in acid soils. Prepare a mixture containing 50% heather earth and 50% universal potting soil. Pour on a layer and plant your subject. Fill in with your substrate and press down.
Water with rainwater to expel air bubbles and encourage rooting.
Fertilization
To promote the growth of your Camellia japonica ‘Nuccio’s Pearl’, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
Fertilize with a fertilizer for acid-loving plants. You can choose a hydrangea or bougainvillea fertilizer, for example.
Prune
Remove wilted flowers that don't fall off by themselves.
You don't have to prune your Camellia japonica ‘Nuccio’s Pearl’. However, it may be beneficial to cut back dry twigs. You can also cut back branches by about ten centimetres after flowering to force the plant to branch out.
Always use a clean, sharp tool to promote healing and prevent disease.
Planting
When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.
Choose a shady or semi-shadylocation, away from other plantings. Indeed, nuccio's Pearl' Camellias have shallow roots and can't stand competition from other species. You can, however, plant several varieties side by side to form a hedge.
Soak the root ball in rainwater. Meanwhile, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball.
Nuccio's Pearl' Camellias require acid soil. If your soil is acidic, plant the plant and fill in with garden soil.
If your soil is chalky, sandy or basic, place a geothermal felt at the bottom of your hole. Mix equal parts heather soil and universal potting soil. Pour in a layer of substrate, then plant your shrub. Fill in with your mixture.
Mulch to keep the soil cool and protect the roots from the cold. You can use pine bark, for example, which will add acidity as it decomposes.
Water generously with recuperated rainwater to facilitate rooting.
Taking cuttings
Take a lignified branch about fifteen centimeters long. Remove the flowers and keep only the top pair of leaves.
Prune the tip of your cutting to encourage roots to appear. Using a clean knife, bevel the end of the branch and remove about two centimetres of bark.
You can dip the tip in cutting hormone.
Obtain a perforated pot. Fill it with a mixture of potting soil, sand and heather. Make a pilot hole and plant your cutting.
Cutting is done in a smothered state. Place your cutting in a mini greenhouse or transparent box. You can also cover it with a translucent plastic bag.
Spray the leaves and substrate to maintain a moist atmosphere, and aerate for a few minutes each day.
Keep your cutting indoors, in a bright, heated room.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposures
- Half-shadeShade
- Substrates
- Humus soilSandy soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubs
- Tags
- BeginnerFloweryHardyThirsty
- Origin
- Southeast Asia
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 7b (-15°C ≤ T° < -12.2°C)
- Leaf color
- Dark green
- Flower colors
- RoseFuchsiaPale pink
Discover plants from the same family
Japanese Camellia
Camellia japonica
Camellia 'Nuccio's Jewel
Camellia japonica ‘Nuccio’s Jewel’
Camellia 'Debbie
Camellia japonica ‘Debbie’
Camellia 'Brushfield's Yellow
Camellia japonica 'Brushfield's Yellow'
Find out more
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