I am in Seattle Zone 8 and have a spot up against the house that is shaded where I want to put a Camellia. I am looking for a plant that will grow to approximately 10 to 15 feet with a width of 5 to 6 feet. I would like a variety that is red, double, and the flowers drop after blooming. I am having a hard time finding a variety that meets my criteria. Does anyone have a favorite that meets these criteria?
C. japonica keeps the flowers, C. x williamsii I don't think you will find in red. Probably have to try a double, dark form of C. x vernalis. Look at the "sasanqua" camellias at local outlets in fall-winter, or order through the mail.
The only real red I've ever seen is Yuletide, and it's a single with very pretty prominent yellow stamens. Winter's Fire is a deep pinky-red but not a red red. I've heard there is a red version of the pink Kanjiro called Red Kanjiro -- the growth habit of the Kanjiro is very much as you've said you want, but I've never seen the red one. (I have one of the pinks.) If you find one, let us know. I'd love one myself. HTH keke
Yes: commonly sold C. x vernalis 'Yuletide' is an obvious candidate except for it being a single. Maybe if you tried this one you would find you liked it well enough to not need it to have double flowers. http://www.monrovia.com/learn/plant_catalog/detail.php?id=358 If the double red flower is the top priority you could plant one with a lower, more spreading habit such as C. x hiemalis 'Bonanza'. http://www.monrovia.com/learn/plant_catalog/detail.php?item_number=2105
