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Camellia japonica Baby Sis Pink

Camellia japonica 'Baby Sis Pink'
Japanese Camellia, Rose of winter

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A camellia with small anemone-shaped flowers, in soft pink, adorned with a centre of pink and creamy-yellow petaloids. An evergreen bush with a compact, upright habit, it will eventually reach 2 m in height and 1 m in width. Its flowers bloom between February and April. Grow it in acidic, humus-bearing, moist but well-drained soil, in partial shade. Hardy down to -14°C, this variety is well-suited to container growing.
Flower size
7 cm
Height at maturity
1.20 m
Spread at maturity
1 m
Exposure
Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -12°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
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Flowering time February to April
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Description

Camellia japonica ‘Baby Sis Pink’ is a Japanese camellia with captivating, regular, pink anemone-form flowers, prettily set against its glossy, dark green foliage. Compact yet elegant, it finds a place in small gardens or in pots on a shaded terrace. Its late winter flowering brings colour when few shrubs are in bloom. Hardy down to -14°C, this camellia prefers partial shade, acidic and light soils, and humid climates.

This evergreen bush belongs to the Theaceae family; the species is Camellia japonica, still cited in older literature as Thea japonica. It is native to the acidic, humid undergrowth of Japan, Korea, and eastern China, where it grows sheltered by large trees, in soils rich in litter layer and well-drained.
'Baby Sis Pink’ is a seedling with soft pink flowers from the miniature cultivar ‘Baby Sis’, selected in the United States by Hugh Shackelford and disseminated in the 1960s; it retains the compact stature and anemone-form flowering of its parent, but offers a uniformly pink colour. The bush has a compact, upright habit and slow to moderate growth. In the ground, it commonly reaches 1 to 1.20 m in height with a spread of about 1m at 10 years old. It can eventually reach 1.50m/2m under good conditions; in a pot, its stature remains more modest, around 0.80–1.20 m. The evergreen foliage is leathery and glossy: the alternate leaves are elliptical, 5 to 10 cm long, with a finely toothed margin. Their colour is dark green on top, lighter underneath. The root system is rather shallow; the plant appreciates acidic to slightly acidic soils (pH 5 to 6.5), rich in humus, moist but well-drained, non-calcareous. It forms a short trunk branching from the base.
Flowering occurs from February to April; by the sea, sheltered from the wind, it can begin as early as January, while in colder regions, it is often delayed to March to May. The flowers are borne on the previous year's wood, measure 6.5 to 7.5 cm in diameter and adopt the anemone form: two external rows of petals frame a tight centre of petaloids mixed with stamens. The corolla colour is a soft, uniform pink. 
"Miniatures" like ‘Baby Sis’ were sought after from the mid-20th century for cut flowers and winter displays, as their compact corollas hold up well in a vase and even open in a cool interior.

Plant this adorable variety ‘Baby Sis Pink’ near a pathway or terrace, always in partial shade and sheltered from the wind. To grow in a pot, choose a container 40 to 50 cm in diameter and water regularly with non-calcareous water. In a border, place it in front of taller bushes. It pairs well with Pieris japonica ‘Little Heath Variegata’, Sarcococca 'Winter Gem' and some double-flowered hellebores. Add a fern like Dryopteris erythrosora to give your display depth. If you wish to plant it with other camellias, mix flower styles by choosing Camellia japonica ‘Nuccio’s Pearl’, 'Chandleri Elegans' or ‘Margaret Davis’.

 
 

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Camellias: planting, pruning and care
Family sheet
by Olivier 15 min.
Camellias: planting, pruning and care
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Camellia japonica Baby Sis Pink in pictures

Camellia japonica Baby Sis Pink (Flowering) Flowering
Camellia japonica Baby Sis Pink (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.20 m
Spread at maturity 1 m
Habit irregular, bushy
Growth rate slow

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time February to April
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 7 cm
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour dark green
Product reference • 250301

Planting and care

Camellia japonica Baby Sis Pink tolerates sun (non-scorching) in favourable climates, such as by the sea, but will be at its best in partial shade, protected from scorching sun and sheltered from strong wind. Plant it, for example, in morning or evening sun, in moist, humus-bearing, acidic and well-drained soil. Do not plant the shrub too deeply; the top of the root ball should be covered by 3 cm. In winter, cover it with a 5 to 7 cm thick mulch of leaf mould and shredded bark. Beware of late frosts, which can damage the flowers and buds. During dry periods, water the bush to prevent bud drop. It is best to plant your camellia in autumn to encourage good rooting and better flowering from the first year. Possible diseases are: chlorosis caused by excess lime, brown spots caused by scorching on leaves in full south exposure, sooty mould, scale insects and vine weevils.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Woodland edge, Undergrowth
Type of use Free-standing, Cut flowers, Small gardens, Container
Hardiness Hardy down to -12°C (USDA zone 8a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Exposure Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, well-drained, humus-bearing

Care

Pruning instructions Pruning is not essential; if required, prune sparingly just after flowering, before the emergence of new spring shoots. Avoid overly severe pruning.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time April to May
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

Planting & care advice

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