Camelliaspp.
In the fall and winter landscapes , it can be a challenge to keep the yard or garden interesting and color rich .
Winter can be bleak and lifeless – unless , of course , your garden is graced with a camelia . When most plants are dormant or have become flat off , camellias become a prolifically blooming characteristic , showing off both blossom and evergreen leaf .
In climates that do n’t go through coarse seasonal conditions , pollinators can be active through modest winter and camellia will offer important forage for them .
C. sinensis
There are more than 45 species of this flowering plant in refinement , 30,000 named varieties , and more than 3,000 hybrids . Most hybrids are derived from two species : C. japonicaandC. sasanqua .
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Some intercrossed varieties have been bred to withstand higher or lower temperatures , and some bring on salient blossoms unlike any other in form or color .
C. sinensis
With so many gorgeous types useable , it might be baffling to opt the one you want to add to your landscape . Let ’s discuss some options , and the preferent methods for nurturing your camelia at home .
What You’ll Learn
Cultivation and History
The first known camelia were civilize over 5,000 eld ago in ancient Japan and China .
The plants spring up dotty throughout Asia and were prized not only for their lulu , but for a variety of other purposes as well , most of which continue to be uncouth today .
make love in Japan astsubakiand China aschahuaor “ tea bloom , ” the dry out and fermented leaves ofC. sinensisare used to make tea .
Another speciesC. olifeira , is tame and process for oil . This oil is used in cosmetic and for cookery .
As popularity grew , two cosmetic species were selectively spawn to become the parents of one C , and continue to be the two most popular cosmetic types today – C. japonicaandC. sasanqua .
These were the focal compass point of many gardens throughout Asia , as followers of the Shinto faith believed that their god descended to Earth to dwell camellia flower .
In temples , burial site , and nursing home of the nobility throughout Asia , camellias were considered an essential part of the landscape . Some of those planted at the emperor ’s palace in Japan are jazz to be more than 500 years old .
The prime were and proceed today to be send to those in mourning , and for thousands of years the flowers have also been regard as muses , inspiring artwork and interior decoration .
They also sport conspicuously in floral arrangement and have been the focal point of many a nuptial bouquet . While the pinkish camellia represent making love and affection , white is a symbol of longevity , and red blooms symbolize passion .
These are the most commonly available colors . ButC. nitidissima , a less common species , produce yellow flush and has been interbreed to produce novel varieties in various shades of yellow and gold .
In the 18th century , the first live flora arrived in Europe , transported by the East India Trading Company .
Camellias quickly became a beloved garden plant throughout Europe , and consume tea as an everyday practice pass around in popularity as well .
plant can be grown in a George Bush or tree mannequin , and are popular choices for the espalier develop technique , train to grow categoric against a bulwark or fencing .
Most diversity grow at a slow to moderate speed and can live for more than one hundred years .
In the United States , most camellia species are stalwart in Zones 7 to 10 , with some cross that are suited to Zones 6 and 11 as well . Most varieties bloom between fall and spring .
While several loan-blend have been get for improved scent , most form are develop for their visual solicitation , as flowers do not by nature have a detectable scent .
Camellias are so popular that quite a few societies and clubs exist today that are consecrate to the history , cultivation , and preservation of heirloom varieties , such as the American Camellia Society .
Camellia Plant Propagation
Growing camelia from come is easy ; however , those get from seed almost never bring about a plant resembling the parent .
If you ’re uncoerced to take your chances to see what unique blossoms your plant might produce , seed is the mode to go .
Consider a unlike method of propagation if you want the result materialisation ( or clones ) to better resemble their parents .
There are a number of propagation methods usable to gardener , including root cutting , grafting , layering , and air layering , which are discussed in detail inour guide to propagating camellias .
How to Grow Camellia Flowers
camelia are considered recurrent evergreens and can be grown as shrub or trees , reach mature pinnacle of 10 to 20 foot on average , although some specimen have grown far declamatory .
Weeping and dwarf variety exist as well .
They have a reputation for being finicky and challenging to keep healthy . Often , the trouble is inadequate preventative tending or a poor choice of planting site , leading to unseasonable death or disease .
It ’s best to establish or propagate camelia in the spring .
Prior to planting in - earth , test the soil pH. These shrub choose a slightly acidic pH of 5.5 to 6.5 .
A variety of test kits can be purchase , such as the MySoil Test Kit , useable via Amazon , which give a detailed photo of not only the pH , but the overall health of your grime .
If grime pH is too high , or too alkaline , adding S will lower the pH. If pH is too blue , or too acidic , adding limewill increase it .
Amending territory at the planting internet site withused chocolate grounds , os meal , and aged manure will provide acidity and tally available nutrients to keep your plants flourish .
Natural Guard Ferti - Lome
Fertilizer can be sum if hope by using a blending formulated for camellias and other woody broadleaf shrubs , such as this Natural Guard constitutional fertilizer , available from Nature Hills Nursery .
Ideally , the planting website should be in full sun in the morning and fond shadiness through the rest of the day . A spotunder a large treeor against the due north side of your theater may work best .
watch implant for camellias here .
unseasoned plants prefer more hours of shaded , indirect sunlight than more ripe plants , as they are more thin .
As plants grow and maturate , their dense leaf will help to form a canopy that can protect them from overexposure to the sun .
practiced drainage is imperative for sizable works as they are extremely illiberal of inert soil . Too much moisture can go to problems like bud drop curtain .
Conversely , drought conditions are not fair to middling and will also lead to an unhealthful specimen . It ’s of import to maintain even ground wet , specially in the fall when buds are forge .
urine flora to wet the entire stem musket ball and use alayer of mulchto keep root moist and protected . notice the wet of the soil one to two time per week , and if the top layer palpate dry to the touching , water deeply with one to two in of pee . This is essential when works are sprouting new outgrowth .
Protect plants from cold , harsh winds by wrapping them with garden material or planting in a sheltered field .
A major mistake that many gardeners make is toplant potted transplantstoo thick . The roots need safe aeration , and if buried too deep , they will suffocate .
Prepare a fix as abstruse as the root glob , and several inches wide to absent any competing roots from neighboring industrial plant .
Camellia plant should be space at least five feet apart , and ideally eight to 12 foundation , unless they are being constitute as part of a hedgerow .
Mound compost orpeat mossat the bottom of the hole to create a little hump ; this let the works to be seat without cast off too deeply and keep roots at ground spirit level as soil powder compact .
Container Planting
Some kind are well suitable for container planting and will do quite well with light pruning . A orotund planter is preferred to avert having the plant become root bind .
If you live in an area with misfortunate grunge , such as in the southerly United States where soil can be arenaceous and difficult to amend , container growth can be a better selection .
If you plan to give your camellia a lasting dwelling house in a pot , teach more about thatin our full guide to container care .
Growing Tips
Pruning and Maintenance
Pruning is not typically necessary for camellias and can even cause some damage if overdone . wounding impart by pruning can leave plants open to disease .
Deadheadingisrecommended , and should be done throughout the blooming season . pilfer off prime that are wilt or dead , and discard them .
stagnant blooms , if healthy , can be composted . Deadheading promotes leaf and radical growth between blooming time of year .
Pruning dead or weakened branches is also recommended , and can be done at any metre .
If you find yourself on the commercial enterprise closing of a gargantuan specimen that has outgrown its blank space – and turn out in mind that some potpourri can grow larger than twenty foot – you may demand to consider crop it back .
Find wind on how to dress your camellia here .
Established works will apprise a doubly - annual software program of a slow release , balanced fertilizer such as 10 - 10 - 10 ( NPK ) in the spring and again in fall , according to parcel direction .
In the vitrine of younger plant life , you could use a plant food specifically made for camellias , such as Natural Guard , refer above .
Learn more fertilizing camellias here .
Camellia Cultivars to Select
Because camelia have been work so wide for such a long clock time , and for so many purpose , there is an heroic list of varieties in universe .
industrial plant of theC. sasanquaspecies typically blossom from October through December . They ’re broadly more kind of sunlight exposure and run to have large salad days .
C. japonicatypically flower from January through March . These generally favor shade and warm temperature .
Some cultivars have been bred to ameliorate fragrancy or to produce blooms as expectant as five in in diameter . Others are more modest , but offer much - needed people of colour during winter month , with a long blooming time of year .
Here are a few to get you jump :
Jury’s Yellow
‘ Jury ’s yellowed ’ heyday have stunning livid flower petal at the bloom border , with a section of creamy yellow petaloids in the center of full double bloom .
The abstruse gold to orange stamen can tot up to the astuteness of the chicken central colour .
This cultivar , breed in New Zealand by Les Jury , is a hybrid cross betweenC. japonica , C. chrysantha , andC. williamsiithat blooms between tardy gloaming and former leaping in Zones 7 to 9 .
‘ Jury ’s Yellow ’ can be a profuse blooper , with a rounded to unsloped growing substance abuse strain eight to twelve feet in height , and dense , deep green foliage , creating a unfeignedly center - catching contrast that will stand out in your landscaping .
‘ Jury ’s Yellow ’
you’re able to find fault up‘Jury ’s Yellow ’ in quart - sized containersfrom New Life Nursery and Garden via Amazon .
Professor Sargent
The popularC. japonica‘Professor Sargent ’ cultivar offers mysterious carmine , peony form flowers , that bloombetween November and March , adding color and pastime to the garden .
The obtusely packed flower petal of ‘ Professor Sargent ’ have been a favourite among camellia cultivator for decades ; the full , lush blossoms being very pop as cut bloom .
With a vigorous growth wont and stretch bloom season , this cultivar is often used in hedge , or grown as a specimen plant , in Zones 8 to 10 . Shrubs achieve ripe height of 12 to 15 animal foot .
‘ Professor Sargent ’ is also suitable for container planting .
‘ Professor Sargent ’
you may find plants available in two - and - a - one-half - quart and # 3 containersavailable from Plants by Mail .
Shi Shi Gashira
One of the most popular fall - blooming varieties , the dark garden pink , semi - double blossoms ofC. sasanqua‘Shi Shi Gashira ’ are just what fall - foraging pollinator are looking for .
‘ Shi Shi Gashira ’
This cultivar has a more compact emergence riding habit than other varieties , and more sun tolerance , especially as plant ripen .
Plants in one- and three - gallon containers areavailable from Fast Growing Trees .
Want More Options ?
Be sure to check out our follow on guidebook , “ 11 of the Most Beautiful Camellia Varieties to Grow at family . ”
Managing Pests and Disease
Camellias can hang victim to quite a few problem that are rough-cut among many ornamental industrial plant species .
Foraging fauna , insect , and disease can take quite a toll on your plant , and some issues – like solution rotting – can unfortunately be deadly .
Deer , squirrels , and voles may partake in of various parts of your plants throughout the fall and winter season . Scale , aphids , spider mites , andbud mitescan cause major infestation andspread disease .
Keeping an eye out forearly signs of infestationor infection can aid to keep further spread .
get up your plants for winteris also a chic preventive measuring rod that can help you to head off having weakened plants on your hands that are more susceptible to illness .
In any example when chemicals or poisons will be applied to your garden or yard , it ’s extremely significant touse these substances carefullyand exercise uttermost caution .
chemical and poisons will not only become a part of the plants and soil in your yard , but can become a part of the groundwater and water sources as well , and impact wildlife in the region , make unintended and sometimes long terminus wrong .
find oneself detailed information on troubleshooting problems in ourguide to identifying and get problems with your camellia .
Best Uses for Camellia Shrubs and Trees
camellia have been used for centuries as hedges and garden feature , often trimmed into a tree form , or trained to raise along a frame or wall with the espalier method acting .
When planted in the home garden , these plants can live for more than one hundred years , and become an annually anticipated germ of wintertime - blossom joy .
swing flowers are extremely popular in nuptial bouquets as well as arrangement sent to those in bereavement .
C. sinensisleaves are dried for tea and can be grown at home plate and processed for this purpose .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Camellias Offer Beauty When Other Plants Are Dormant
plant that have been a darling addition to landscape and gardens for hundreds of years , such as the camelia , must be doing something right .
In this case , versatility , multiple uses , seasonal interest and color , and pollinator forage are obvious reasons why these bush have stand .
Whether trim down into a privacy hedgerow , shaped into a tree , or added as a by nature stunning feature , the camellia carry big appeal .
With some attention , a well - install plant may live on well past our lifetime , leaving a living legacy behind .
Keep those colourful peak coming throughout the twelvemonth by add more flower shrubs to your landscape . you could stagger planting for blossoms most class round .
And for moretips on caring for camelia peak , you ’ll need these guide next :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . in the beginning published February 6th , 2021 . Last updated March 26th , 2023 . production photos via FastGrowingTrees.com , My Soil , New Life Nursery & Garden , and Plants by Mail . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
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Kelly Spicer
