Camellia japonica 'April Tryst'
flowerApril Tryst is a standout in the cold-hardy April Series of Japanese camellias, bred to bring this classic Southern evergreen into colder gardens. It is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with handsome, glossy, dark green leaves year-round, growing slowly to five to eight feet, and in early spring it opens large, anemone-form, rich red flowers three to four inches across. Camellias are prized for blooming when little else does and for their elegant evergreen presence, and April Tryst is one of the few Camellia japonica cultivars rated to zone 6, making it a treasured choice for gardeners on the northern edge of camellia country, especially in a sheltered spot.
Sun
partial shade
Water
Every 7 days
Bloom
~20 days
Difficulty
medium
Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
Spacing
4-6 ft apart
Planting Depth
Plant shallow, top of root ball at or just above grade; keep mulch off the trunk
Soil pH
5.5-6.5
Soil Type
Acidic, organic, moist, well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 6 – 9
When to Fertilize
After bloom in spring through early summer; never in late fall
Fertilizer
Acid-forming (camellia/azalea) fertilizer
Grow camellias in part shade, ideally dappled or high shade with protection from hot afternoon sun and from drying winter wind, both of which scorch the evergreen leaves and damage buds. They need acid soil (about pH 5.5 to 6.5) that is rich in organic matter, evenly moist, and well-drained, much like azaleas and rhododendrons, and they resent both drought and waterlogging. Plant shallow, with the top of the root ball at or just above grade, and mulch the root zone two to three inches deep, keeping mulch off the trunk. In the colder end of its range (zone 6), site it in a protected microclimate such as the sheltered north or east side of a building, away from early-morning winter sun on frozen buds. Water deeply in dry spells, especially in fall as next year buds form. Prune, if needed, right after flowering.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Direct sow
Apr 15
Projected first bloom
May 5
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
The major camellia pest - tiny scale insects encrust leaf undersides and yellow-mottle the tops; check undersides, prune out heavy infestations for airflow, and treat with horticultural oil
Cluster on tender new growth - rinse off with water and encourage ladybugs
A fungus that browns and rots the open flowers - rake up and discard fallen petals and spent blooms, and avoid overhead watering in bloom
Phytophthora rots roots in wet soil - ensure sharp drainage and shallow planting, and never let the plant sit in standing water
Camellias make exquisite, if short-stemmed, cut flowers - snip a bloom or two with a leaf in the cool morning and float them in a shallow bowl of water, the traditional way to display them, since the heavy flowers do not last long on a cut stem. In the garden, removing spent and browning flowers from the plant and the ground reduces petal blight. Any shaping should be done right after the plant finishes blooming, because camellias set the next season buds over summer and fall.
An ornamental broadleaf evergreen grown for its glossy year-round foliage and large spring flowers when little else blooms. The flowers offer pollen and nectar to early bees, and the dense evergreen form gives birds shelter. Camellia is non-toxic and safe around pets and children.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.