Camellia japonica 'Mrs Charles Cobb' – Sumptuous Deep Red Camellia with Classic Formal Blooms
Camellia japonica 'Mrs Charles Cobb' is a beautiful and reliable evergreen shrub, admired for its richly coloured, formal to semi-double flowers in a glowing deep red to carmine-rose. Blooming from late winter through to spring, this classic camellia variety delivers a bold and luxurious floral display at a time when the garden is still awakening, making it an invaluable and cherished addition to any planting scheme.
The large, perfectly formed blooms are composed of broad, overlapping petals in a warm, deep crimson-red with a slight velvety sheen, centred with a prominent boss of golden stamens that adds a further touch of elegance. Set against a backdrop of dark, lustrous evergreen foliage, the flowers are rendered even more striking, creating a dramatic and richly satisfying contrast throughout the flowering season.
With a naturally upright, bushy habit, 'Mrs Charles Cobb' develops into a handsome, well-rounded specimen shrub. It is equally suited to growing as a freestanding feature plant, trained against a sheltered wall, or grown in a large container where its spectacular blooms can be enjoyed at close range on a terrace or courtyard.
Beyond the flowering season, the dense evergreen canopy of polished, deep green leaves provides valuable year-round structure and interest, forming an attractive backdrop for other shade-loving plants throughout the garden. Hardy, long-lived, and increasingly floriferous with age, this is a camellia that only improves with time.
Seasonal Beauty & Growth
Winter
Plump flower buds develop against the glossy evergreen foliage, building anticipation for the flowering season ahead.
Late Winter–Spring
Large, formal to semi-double blooms open in rich deep red to carmine-rose, each flower centred with a cluster of golden stamens.
Summer
Lustrous dark green foliage provides a handsome and structural presence throughout the warmer months.
Autumn
The evergreen canopy remains attractive and healthy while new flower buds quietly begin to form for the season ahead.
Why Grow Camellia 'Mrs Charles Cobb'?
✔ Rich deep red to carmine-rose formal double blooms
✔ Golden stamens add further elegance to each flower
✔ Flowers from late winter into spring
✔ Glossy, polished evergreen foliage year-round
✔ Superb specimen shrub, wall shrub, or container plant
✔ Hardy, long-lived, and easy to grow
✔ Becomes increasingly floriferous with maturity
Perfect For
- Woodland gardens
- Acid-loving and ericaceous borders
- Feature or specimen planting
- Sheltered walls and fences
- Large patio containers
- Sheltered courtyards and town gardens
- Japanese-style gardens
Planting & Care Guide
Position: Partial shade or dappled shade is ideal. Avoid positions where early morning winter sun can shine directly onto frozen buds, as rapid thawing can cause bud drop and damage the flowers. A sheltered spot protected from cold, drying winds is particularly beneficial.
Soil: Moist, humus-rich, acidic, and well-drained soil is preferred. Camellias will not thrive in alkaline or chalky soils. Incorporate plenty of ericaceous compost when planting, and mulch annually with composted bark or leaf mould to retain moisture and maintain acidity.
Hardiness: Fully hardy throughout most of the UK, though flower buds can be vulnerable to late frosts. A sheltered position significantly reduces this risk.
Watering: Water regularly during the establishment period and during dry spells, particularly in late summer when next season's flower buds are forming. Where tap water is hard or alkaline, use collected rainwater where possible.
Feeding: Apply a specialist ericaceous or camellia fertiliser in spring after flowering and again in midsummer to encourage healthy growth and bud development.
Pruning: Little pruning is required. If needed, trim lightly immediately after flowering to maintain shape, remove any dead or damaged wood, or control size. Avoid pruning after midsummer to prevent removing next season's flower buds.
Ultimate Size: Typically reaches approximately 2–3m in height and 1.5–2.5m in spread over time, though growth rate is generally slow to moderate.
Looks Great With
- Pieris japonica
- Rhododendron
- Azalea
- Acer palmatum
- Skimmia japonica
