Camellia Early Wonder®

Early Wonder® is the Southern Living Plant Collection name for Camellia japonica ‘Early Autumn’. The collection describes it as an upright, vigorous evergreen with glossy dark green foliage and profuse formal double flowers in lavender-rose. Brookgreen Gardens’ collection record independently links the cultivar ‘Early Autumn’ with the registered name Early Wonder and gives the family Theaceae and zones 7–9. ## Flowers and habit This cultivar is valued for flowering earlier than many japonicas, with the collection identifying fall as its flowering season. Bronze new growth matures to dark green, and the upright habit works in borders, woodland edges, or as a flowering screen. The live 6–8 foot height and 4–6 foot spread align with the brand’s mature dimensions and remain unchanged. ## Siting The brand lists full sun to part shade and USDA zones 7a–9b. Provide well-drained, acidic soil and shelter from drying winds, following general Camellia japonica guidance. The existing sun and zone values are consistent with those ranges. Sources: [Southern Living Early Wonder profile](https://southernlivingplants.com/the-collection/plant/early-wonder-camellia/) · [Brookgreen Gardens collection record](https://www.brookgreen.org/plant-collection/name/camellia-japonica-early-autumn-early-wonderr) · [NCSU Extension Japanese camellia profile](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/camellia-japonica/) ## Maintenance Southern Living recommends medium water, annual feeding in early spring, and shaping in early spring before the first flush. Keep the root area mulched without piling material against stems. Avoid late-season pruning that could remove developing flower buds.