Crapnell Camellia
Camellia crapnelliana
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
Two camellias do most of the work in American gardens, Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua, in countless named forms. The Far East holds far more, and Woodlanders is among the few nurseries offering the lesser-known species to gardeners here. Camellia crapnelliana, the Crapnell camellia, is one of the most distinctive: a slow, upright evergreen first described from Hong Kong Island and named for the collector Crapnell.
The species is grown as much for bark and fruit as for bloom. Mature trunks peel and glow a warm cinnamon-red, a feature rare among camellias, and the large, dark green, finely toothed leaves give the plant real presence the year round. In late winter come the flowers: single and white, the broad petals faintly ruffled at the edge and gathered around a boss of golden stamens. They are followed by woody, globular seed capsules the size of a small orange, among the largest fruit in the whole genus.
Like most camellias, the Crapnell camellia is happiest in semi-shade, in sandy, slightly acid soil kept mulched and watered, sheltered from hard freezes at the cold edge of zones 8 and 9. Site this plant where the cinnamon bark can be read at close range, by a path, an entry, or a courtyard wall, and underplant with ferns and other shade lovers that will not hide the trunk. A collector's evergreen, and a quiet piece of camellia history.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 8–9
- Sun
- Part Shade
- Soil
- Acid, Sandy, Well-drained, Mulched
- Mature size
- Height 10–15 Feet · Spread 5–6 Feet
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Seasonality
- Evergreen
Single white with golden stamens, late winter
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
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Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
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Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
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