Swan Lake® Camellia

Camellia japonica 'Monke'

Pronunciation: kuh-MEE-lee-uh juh-PON-ih-kuh
SKU #01988
8-10

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LIGHT: Filtered sun, Full shade, Partial shade, Partial sun
WATER: Water when top 3 inches of soil is dry.
SIZE: Moderate growing to 6 to 8 ft. tall and wide; larger with age.

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This Plant's Growing Zones: 8-10

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Description Very large, snow white, semi-double, peony-like blooms contrast beautifully against the glossy, dark green foliage. Excellent as an evergreen specimen in a woodland garden, as a privacy screen, or in a container. Cut flowers are lovely floating in a bowl of water. A prized mid-to late season bloomer for milder regions.
Bloom Time Winter through mid-spring
Deciduous/Evergreen Evergreen
Special Features Easy Care, Non-toxic to Cats and Dogs
Growth Rate Moderate
Growth Habit Upright
Flower Attributes Flowers for Cutting, Showy Flowers
Landscape Use Border, Container, Espalier, Privacy Screen
Design Ideas Use in a protected place in the garden, such as an east facing entryway, and be rewarded with handsome evergreen foliage and early season white flowers. Both the blooms and foliage are fine additions to indoor winter cut flower arrangements. Beautiful as a foundation plant, in a container or as part of a Zen tranquility garden.
Flower Color White
Foliage Color Dark Green
Companion Plants The beautiful white blooms of Swan Lake pair with a huge assortment of perennials, shrubs and trees. Combine with the lovely purple blooms and foliage of Coral Bells, Astilbe, and Azalea. For those shady beds close to your outdoor patios, create a moonlight garden with white blooming Astilbe, Hydrangea, and Gardenia. Provide some filtered shade with small stature, white blooming trees like Apple Serviceberry, and Redbud.
Care Instructions Provide organically rich, well-drained, acidic soil. Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency, once established. Prune lightly to shape and feed with an acid fertilizer after flowering.
History Camellias are native to eastern and southern Asia. C. japonica was imported into the Philippines but is native to China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. The genus Camellia was named by Carolus Linnaeus who named it for a Jesuit missionary Georg Kamel, who cultivated an important garden of local medicinal plants on the Philippine Island of Luzon in the 17th century. Swan Lake was a seedling developed in the late 1950's and introduced by Monrovia in 1969. Red camellias are a symbol of wealth and white Camellias signify loveliness. Camellias represent longevity and faithfulness and have long been a primary floral component in Asian weddings.
Lore Awarded the Harold Cawood Award by the American Camellia Society in 1999. and again in 2001 for being the best white Camellia.
Details
DescriptionVery large, snow white, semi-double, peony-like blooms contrast beautifully against the glossy, dark green foliage. Excellent as an evergreen specimen in a woodland garden, as a privacy screen, or in a container. Cut flowers are lovely floating in a bowl of water. A prized mid-to late season bloomer for milder regions.
Bloom TimeWinter through mid-spring
Deciduous/EvergreenEvergreen
Special FeaturesEasy Care, Non-toxic to Cats and Dogs
Growth RateModerate
Growth HabitUpright
Flower AttributesFlowers for Cutting, Showy Flowers
Style
Landscape UseBorder, Container, Espalier, Privacy Screen
Design IdeasUse in a protected place in the garden, such as an east facing entryway, and be rewarded with handsome evergreen foliage and early season white flowers. Both the blooms and foliage are fine additions to indoor winter cut flower arrangements. Beautiful as a foundation plant, in a container or as part of a Zen tranquility garden.
Flower ColorWhite
Foliage ColorDark Green
Companion PlantsThe beautiful white blooms of Swan Lake pair with a huge assortment of perennials, shrubs and trees. Combine with the lovely purple blooms and foliage of Coral Bells, Astilbe, and Azalea. For those shady beds close to your outdoor patios, create a moonlight garden with white blooming Astilbe, Hydrangea, and Gardenia. Provide some filtered shade with small stature, white blooming trees like Apple Serviceberry, and Redbud.
Care
Care InstructionsProvide organically rich, well-drained, acidic soil. Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency, once established. Prune lightly to shape and feed with an acid fertilizer after flowering.
History
HistoryCamellias are native to eastern and southern Asia. C. japonica was imported into the Philippines but is native to China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. The genus Camellia was named by Carolus Linnaeus who named it for a Jesuit missionary Georg Kamel, who cultivated an important garden of local medicinal plants on the Philippine Island of Luzon in the 17th century. Swan Lake was a seedling developed in the late 1950's and introduced by Monrovia in 1969. Red camellias are a symbol of wealth and white Camellias signify loveliness. Camellias represent longevity and faithfulness and have long been a primary floral component in Asian weddings.
LoreAwarded the Harold Cawood Award by the American Camellia Society in 1999. and again in 2001 for being the best white Camellia.

Frequently asked questions

Does Swan Lake® Camellia produce flowers?
Winter through mid-spring
Is Swan Lake® Camellia evergreen or deciduous?
Swan Lake® Camellia is Evergreen.
What are the special features of Swan Lake® Camellia?
Swan Lake® Camellia is Easy Care, Non-toxic to Cats and Dogs.
How fast does Swan Lake® Camellia grow?
Swan Lake® Camellia has a Moderate growth rate.
What is the growth habit of Swan Lake® Camellia?
Swan Lake® Camellia grows in an Upright habit.
Where can I use Swan Lake® Camellia in my landscape?
Swan Lake® Camellia is suitable for: Border, Container, Espalier, Privacy Screen.
How can I use Swan Lake® Camellia in my garden design?
Use in a protected place in the garden, such as an east facing entryway, and be rewarded with handsome evergreen foliage and early season white flowers. Both the blooms and foliage are fine additions to indoor winter cut flower arrangements. Beautiful as a foundation plant, in a container or as part of a Zen tranquility garden.
What color are Swan Lake® Camellia flowers?
Swan Lake® Camellia produces White flowers.
What color is the foliage of Swan Lake® Camellia?
Swan Lake® Camellia has Dark Green foliage.
What plants grow well with Swan Lake® Camellia?
Good companion plants for Swan Lake® Camellia include: The beautiful white blooms of Swan Lake pair with a huge assortment of perennials, shrubs and trees. Combine with the lovely purple blooms and foliage of Coral Bells, Astilbe, and Azalea. For those shady beds close to your outdoor patios, create a moonlight garden with white blooming Astilbe, Hydrangea, and Gardenia. Provide some filtered shade with small stature, white blooming trees like Apple Serviceberry, and Redbud..
How do I care for Swan Lake® Camellia?
Provide organically rich, well-drained, acidic soil. Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency, once established. Prune lightly to shape and feed with an acid fertilizer after flowering.
What is the history of Swan Lake® Camellia?
Camellias are native to eastern and southern Asia. C. japonica was imported into the Philippines but is native to China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. The genus Camellia was named by Carolus Linnaeus who named it for a Jesuit missionary Georg Kamel, who cultivated an important garden of local medicinal plants on the Philippine Island of Luzon in the 17th century. Swan Lake was a seedling developed in the late 1950's and introduced by Monrovia in 1969. Red camellias are a symbol of wealth and white Camellias signify loveliness. Camellias represent longevity and faithfulness and have long been a primary floral component in Asian weddings.

About Us

We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for 100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr. in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.

We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly 100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr. in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.