Picotee Flowered Camellia

Camellia japonica 'Tama no ura'

$26.00 Sold out
1 Gallon USDA Zones 7–9 Part Shade Matures 6–8 Feet

A celebrated wild-found camellia, Camellia japonica 'Tama no ura' opens single bright red bells each edged crisply in white, the parent of the 'Tama' picotee line.

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'Tama no ura' is among the most celebrated of all wild-found camellias, and the story is part of the plant. In 1947 a charcoal worker came upon a single old Camellia japonica, by repute some two hundred years old, growing deep in the forest near Tamanoura on Fukue Island in the Goto archipelago, off Nagasaki. The flowers stopped him: single, bright red, and edged crisply in white, a clean picotee never before recorded in the wild. Selected and propagated from that one tree, the camellia was exhibited in Nagasaki in 1973 and carried to America by Nuccio's Nursery in 1975.

The bloom is simplicity itself, a single, bell-shaped flower of six bright red petals, each rimmed in a fine white margin, opening in late winter and early spring around a center of golden stamens. The effect is crisp and unmistakable, and the cultivar passes the trait on freely: 'Tama no ura' is the parent of a whole family of 'Tama' camellias bred for that picotee edge.

Like the rest of the species, 'Tama no ura' wants semi-shade and sandy, slightly acidic soil kept mulched and watered, where the upright evergreen frame holds the year and the bordered flowers can be read at close range. A piece of camellia history, and one of the loveliest single flowers in the genus.

Will this plant thrive in your zone?

Plant Profile
At a glance
Hardiness
USDA Zones 7–9
Sun
Part Shade
Soil
Well-drained
Mature size
Height 6–8 Feet · Spread 5–6 Feet
Growth rate
Slow
Seasonality
Evergreen
Design Notes

Site 'Tama no ura' where the red-and-white picotee flowers can be met at close range, by a path, an entry, or a window framed for winter, since the crisp white edge rewards a close look more than a distant one. The upright evergreen frame works as a specimen, an informal screen, or the backbone of a shaded border; pair with broadleaf evergreens for a dark backdrop and underplant with ferns, hellebores, and early bulbs. Give semi-shade and shelter from hot afternoon sun and drying wind, and enjoy a flower with two centuries of history behind it.

Flower, Fruit & Foliage

Bright red bordered with white, single

Flower. Single and bell-shaped, six bright red petals each finely rimmed in white, a crisp picotee around a center of golden stamens. Late winter into early spring, roughly two to three inches across.

Foliage. Glossy, dark green evergreen leaves on an upright frame, a clean backdrop for the bordered flowers the year round.

Habit. An upright, slow-growing evergreen to roughly six to eight feet, and the parent of the many 'Tama' picotee camellias.

Care

Read our full care guide

Light. Part shade to dappled sun; shelter from hot afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves and brown the blooms.

Soil. Sandy, well-drained, acidic soil around pH 5.5 to 6.5, rich in organic matter and kept mulched.

Water. Steady moisture through the growing season, deep but never waterlogged; ease off in winter.

Pruning. Prune just after flowering; remove dead or crossing wood and thin lightly for air.

Hardiness. Reliable through USDA Zones 7 to 9; shelter from hard winter wind and frost at the northern edge.

Here’s a closer look at how we produce our plants

From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.

Woodlanders Growing Process

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.

Sustainable Growing Practices

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.

Supporting Local Biodiversity

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.

At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.
Grown in Aiken, South Carolina
At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.

All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.

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Healthy plants, ready to thrive
Success, made simple
Healthy plants, ready to thrive

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.

Read the care guide
Frequently Asked Questions
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.

What is your return policy?

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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