Camellia japonica 'Daikagura'
Common name: Japanese camellia
Camellia japonica 'Daikagura', an ancient Japanese cultivar, is a slow growing, multi-stemmed shrub with an upright, rounded habit.
C. japonica 'Daikagura' flowers have unpredictable colour patterns. The peony-like flowers may display a range of colours from all dark pink, all red, or red with white variegation which could be striped, splashed, or speckled, all on the same plant. The glossy, dark green foliage provides the backdrop for these blooms. C. japonica'Daikagura', like other camellias, does best when situated in a spot with light shade or dappled sunlight, and a slightly acidic, well-drained soil.
Registered in 1891, this cultivar originated in Japan at least a century before that. The cultivar name 'Daikagura' means 'Great Sacred Dance'. It refers to one of the oldest forms of traditional performing arts in Japan, a type of Shinto (the way of the kami) ritual ceremonial dance. (Shinto is considered to be the indigenous faith of the Japanese people.)
Camellia japonica 'Daikagura' has been planted in parks and botanical gardens around the world. At VanDusen it is located in Bed 85. The photos were taken in late winter/early spring of 2026.
Text and photos by Kumi Sutcliffe