Camellias

The Camellia is a beautiful evergreen shrub that beautifies your garden in all seasons. It originated in sub-tropical southern China and was widely grown in Korea, Japan and other Asian countries for centuries. Camellias were displayed in Korean weddings as far back as 1,200 BC were they represented faithfulness & longevity. Gardeners in Britain grew camellias in the 18th century but interest died out until about the 1950’s where a rebirth of interest took hold worldwide.

Most of the varieties of Camellias were bred from 3 species… 1- Carnellia japonica; 2- Carnellia sasanqua; 3- Carnellia reticulate. Now there are more than 3,000 hybrids of Camellias. The Camellia japonica is the most famous species with glossy, leathery dark green leaves, perfectly sculpted petals both solid and variegated, and blooming in shades of whites, pinks, and reds.

There are 6 basic flower groups of camellias:

4- Peony Form 5- Rose Form Double 6- Formal Double

Planting Camellias:

Planting camellias is pretty straightforward and can begin with preparation of the soil. Camellias need well draining soil so you’ll need to pay attention to the soil type. If your soil is clay for example you’ll need to dig out a large planting hole so you can mix in plenty of peat moss and compost for proper drainage. Excess water over time will drown out the fibrous root system and seal off aeration around the root pores and tips. You can also end up with problems like root rot or other diseases. In addition to well aerated soil, camellias need slightly acidic pH conditions (around 5.5 to 5.7 as a group).

You can purchase special potting mixtures for camellias to help in the planting process. These are especially good when putting camellias into containers or tubs. When positioning into the ground, do not plant too deeply and firm the soil lightly around the roots. The average person tends to pack the soil too loosely around the plant and the roots later become exposed as the soil settles down. Note: you should stake your camellias at first because the new growth will tend to bend over until the wood hardens.

This ties directly into the soil because the make up of the soil will influence how much you’ll need to feed, fertilize and mulch. Camellias are slow growing so they need a modest but steady supply of nutrients. Most new stems and leaves grow in the spring so this is the best time to fertilize. A great answer to this is to apply Camellia, Azalea, & rhododendron food along with time-released fertilizer. Do not fertilize too much and try to do so only in the spring or summer to avoid harming your plants. Manures are a good option but be careful not to use too much… a little more often is best.

Watering Camellias:

Camellias need enough water but too much will kill them. There is no easy answer because conditions such as soil, environment, shade, and other can factor into a many answers. A good rule of thumb is to make sure the soil is moist but not soaked. Sandy soils will need more watering because the drainage is better than rocky or clay types of soil. It is especially important to make sure your camellias do not become dry during the hot summer months. Note: One way to ensure plenty of water is to install a drip system.

Light –> Sun & Shade

In general camellias need partial shade. Some variety will tolerate more sun but they do love the shade. Camellias will grow well in the sun as well but their foliage tends to turn yellow. The grower is compensated however because the plant will tend to produce more flowers in sunnier conditions. Note on Temperatures: Camellias tend to enjoy warmer climates but there are varieties that can grow fine if winter extremes do not fall below -10 degrees F. Consult your local gardening center to find out which variety can stand colder temperatures.

Your flowers form on the growth made during the spring time. As a result, it is best to prune in the winter when flowering has finished. Deadheading should be done as the petals fade to prevent energy from being wasted on setting seed. It also allows the buds that are left to grow stronger and larger. Remember to prune the old dead wood and weak spindly growth to help develop a strong healthy bush.

Propagating:

Camellias can be propagated by aerial layering and is best done in the fall or spring. To do aerial layering, strip the bark back from the stem, wrap the stem in sphagnum moss, enclose it in plastic to retain moisture, put aluminum foil around it, and wait. In 6 months roots will have formed and you’ll remove the wrapping, cut off the stem, and plant you new camellia cutting. You can also cut the seeds form the green fruit and plant them.

Camellias are a fantastic choice to add beauty to your landscape. They are really easy to grow and will last for many years.