Home / Debutante Camellia
Debutante Camellia with light pink peony-form blooms and glossy dark green leaves
Debutante Camellia
Close-up of a light pink Debutante Camellia bloom with a flower bud
1 / 3
Flowering Shrub

Debutante Camellia

5.0/5 1 review
Will it grow where you live?

Zones 8-10

Size: 2 gallon
$180
Get it soonFree shipping over $249

Buy more, save more

Save up to $1,000 on your whole cart.

Sale ends 11/30 at 11:59PM CST

See all savings tiers
Free shipping$249+
Automatic
10% offAny 2 items
$50 off$350+
$125 off$750+
$300 off$1,500+
$500 off$2,500+
$750 off$3,250+
$1,000 off$4,000+

Your code will auto-apply at checkout.

1-year guaranteeShips in 1–5 daysReal plant experts

From our farm to your front door

  • Shipped in its nursery pot, so the roots stay undisturbed
  • Soil secured so it stays put in transit
  • Packed so the plant stays steady on the way to you

At a glance

Leaves
Evergreen: keeps its leaves all year
Sunlight
Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade
Water
When the top 2–3" of soil is dry
Growth & size
Slow growth rate; reaches 6–8 ft tall and wide in about 10 years, growing larger with age.
Botanical name
Camellia japonica 'Debutante'
Hardiness
Zones 8-10
Tolerates
Heat tolerantHumidity tolerant
USDA zone map for Debutante Camellia

Where it grows in the groundShaded areas are the zones where it can be planted outdoors.

Not sure it'll thrive where you live?Real people who answer questions before and after planting.
Chat now

What customers are saying

5.0
out of 5 · 1 verified reviews

Why customers love it

Debutante Camellia with light pink peony-form blooms and glossy dark green leaves

Healthy, well-rooted plants

Hand-selected and shipped in its nursery pot.

Debutante Camellia

Delivered to your door

Skip the nursery trip. Very little car Tetris required.

Close-up of a light pink Debutante Camellia bloom with a flower bud

Real plant experts

Ask us anything before or after planting.

Debutante Camellia with light pink peony-form blooms and glossy dark green leaves

1-year guarantee

If something goes wrong, we'll help make it right.

Care made simple

Plant it right once and it does the rest.

Difficulty Moderate
Sun
Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade

Pick the spot before you dig.

Water
When the top 2–3" of soil is dry

Water slowly and deeply. Check more often in its first summer.

Grows in
Zones 8-10

Enter your ZIP above to check your zone.

Your first year together

  1. 1Day 1

    Plant it, then water slowly until the whole root ball is soaked.

  2. 2First few weeks

    Keep the soil evenly moist while new roots settle in.

  3. 3First summer

    Water deeply during hot, dry spells.

  4. 4Next spring

    New growth starts. Feed as it wakes up.

Planting instructions
Choose a location with morning sun and afternoon shade and moist, acidic, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper. Set the plant so the top of the root ball sits slightly above the surrounding soil, since camellias planted too deep are prone to root rot. Backfill with native soil and water thoroughly. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch to keep the shallow roots cool and moist, keeping mulch a few inches away from the trunk. Space plants 5–6 feet apart for a hedge.
Watering & sunlight
Water your newly planted Debutante Camellia when the top 2–3 inches of soil begin to dry, typically about once or twice per week during the first growing season and more often during hot, dry, or windy weather. Water slowly and deeply so moisture reaches the entire root ball. Once established, keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy. Camellias are shallow-rooted, and consistent moisture matters most in late summer and fall while next season's flower buds form. There is no fixed watering schedule, so always check the soil first and adjust based on climate, rainfall, temperature, sunlight exposure, soil type, drainage, and establishment phase.

Debutante Camellia performs best with morning sun and afternoon shade, or in bright, filtered light under taller trees. It tolerates full shade but produces fewer flowers. Avoid hot afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves.
Care guide

PRUNING:
Prune right after flowering in spring to shape the shrub and remove dead or crossing branches. Avoid pruning in summer or fall, when next season's flower buds are forming.

FERTILIZING:
Feed with a fertilizer for acid-loving plants after flowering in spring. Avoid fertilizing in late summer or fall. Avoid fertilizing for the first 2–3 months after delivery to allow the plant to adjust and establish.

WINTER PROTECTION:
Hardy within Zones 8–10. Open flowers can be damaged by frost, so in colder areas plant in a sheltered spot away from winter wind and early morning sun. A 2–3 inch layer of mulch helps protect the shallow roots.

Shipping & what's inside

Your plant ships in its nursery pot with the soil secured, packed so it stays steady on the way to you.

1-year guarantee

Every plant is covered by our 1-year guarantee. If something goes wrong, contact our team and we'll walk you through it.

Answered by Simply Trees plant experts
How big does Debutante Camellia get?
Debutante Camellia typically reaches 6–8 feet tall and wide in about 10 years, and it can grow larger with age. It forms an upright evergreen shrub.
How fast does Debutante Camellia grow?
It has a slow growth rate, so it stays a manageable size for many years and needs little pruning.
When does Debutante Camellia bloom?
It blooms from winter to early spring and is one of the earliest camellias to flower. Its large, light pink, peony-form blooms open over several weeks.
Where is the best place to plant Debutante Camellia?
Plant in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade, or bright filtered light, in moist, acidic, well-draining soil. It works well in foundation plantings, shady borders, hedges, and large containers. Avoid hot afternoon sun.
Can Debutante Camellia grow in a container?
Yes. Its slow growth makes it a good patio container plant. Use a large pot with drainage holes and a potting mix for acid-loving plants, and check the soil often, since containers dry out faster than garden beds.
Why are the flower buds falling off my camellia?
Bud drop is most often caused by uneven watering, especially letting the soil dry out in late summer and fall while buds are forming. Sudden cold snaps and moving the plant while in bud can also cause it. Keep the soil evenly moist to help buds open.
Why are my camellia's leaves turning yellow?
The most common cause is soil that is not acidic enough, which keeps the plant from absorbing iron. Overly wet soil or planting too deep can also cause yellowing. A fertilizer for acid-loving plants and good drainage usually help.
When should I prune Debutante Camellia?
Prune right after it finishes blooming in spring. Camellias set next season's flower buds in summer, so pruning later in the year removes flowers.
Is Debutante Camellia safe for pets?
Yes. Camellias are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Can Debutante Camellia survive a freeze?
The plant is hardy in Zones 8–10, but open flowers and buds can be damaged by hard frost. Because it blooms so early, plant it in a sheltered spot away from winter wind and early morning sun in cooler areas, and cover it during unusually hard freezes.
Still deciding? Our plant experts reply fast on live chat. Chat with us

You might also like

Free landscape design toolNot sure what to plant? Design your yard.Upload a photo of your yard and get a planting plan plus a rendering of the design. Design my landscape