Kicho Yellow Camellia

Camellia japonica ‘Kicho’ (C. Japonica Hatsu-Arashi x C. Nitidissima)

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-10b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub

Species: Camellia hybrid

Height at Maturity: 10-15′ depending on pruning

Width at Maturity: 8-10′ depending on pruning

Spacing: 5-6′ for solid hedges; 14’+ for space between

Flower Color: Glowing Soft Yellow

Flower Size: 2″

Flowering Period: Fall, Early Winter

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: No

Berry Color: NA

Sun Needs: Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade or Filtered Sun, All Day Filtered Sun

Water Needs: Average, Lower when established

Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist

Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5 (Acid)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Resistances: Deer, Drought (when established), Heat, Humidity

Intolerances: Direct Afternoon Sun, Constantly Soggy Soil

Attracts: Visual Attention

Description

A rare yellow flowering selection hybridized by Mr. Tadao Yamaguchi, ‘Kicho’ Camellia produces soft yellow flowers with darker golden stamens in fall and early winter that stand out beautifully against the deep green foliage. A vigorous grower with apricot to orange colored new leaves that are an extra added bonus. If you are an enthusiast searching for a truly unique hybrid Camellia to add to your collection, Kicho is a fine addition!

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 10 to 15 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide, the Kicho Camellia can be grown as a shrub or small tree. As a shrub it is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings or as a hedge or background plant in landscape borders and is especially nice as a corner plant or espalier (trained to grow flat against a wall) in home foundation plantings. As your plant grows taller, lower branches can be removed to form an attractive, small evergreen tree that serves well as an colorful focal point specimen in landscape borders and home foundation plantings. A fine addition to camellia gardens, yellow theme gardens, Asian gardens, cottage gardens, cut flower gardens and woodland borders.

Suggested Spacing: 5 to 6 feet apart for solid hedge; 14 feet or more apart for space between plants

Growing Preferences

Camellia adapt well to various soil types however prefer a moist but well-drained acidic soil that is rich in organic matter. Constantly soggy soil is a slow killer. In general, Camellia grows and blooms better in partial shade with some shelter from the hot afternoon sun. Morning sun with afternoon shade or filtered sunlight is perfect. All-day filtered sun is fine.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, fertilize, prune and water Camellias.

Planting Camellias

Pruning Camellias

How To Fertilize & Water Camellias

How To Espalier Plants & Trees

*Espalier (pronounced: ih-spal-yay) …an ornamental shrub or tree that has been trained to grow flat against a wall, fence, or other vertical, flat surface.

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I was extremely pleased with the size of the plant I received; in fact, it was double the size I’d expected. It was well packed and healthy. It’s producing nice light-yellow blooms as I write this. I would definitely purchase from Wilson Brothers again.————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG