Make a donation. Camellias are one of the most popular winter- and spring-flowering shrubs, providing a vivid splash of colour when little else is in bloom. Although they need acid soil, they are easy to grow in containers of ericaceous acidic potting compost. Camellias are woodland plants that grow best in shelter and light shade, although with careful watering they can be grown in sunny positions. They prefer free-draining conditions, with plenty of organic matter, such as leaf mould, incorporated into the soil.
Being ericaceous plants, camellias require an acid soil. If your soil isn't acid then consider growing your camellia in a container. Tap water, especially in hard water districts, often contains too much calcium for camellias, reducing the acidity around the roots over time.
Rain water is ideal for watering camellias. If rain water runs out, tap water is satisfactory for a month or two in summer. Feed camellias in spring and early summer with acidic fertilisers , such as Chempak Ericaceous, Miracle-gro Ericaceous, sulphate of ammonia or sulphate of potash. Controlled release fertiliser pellets are available from Miracid and Phostrogen to mix into the potting compost of container-grown plants, avoiding the need for further feeding until the following season.
You can use organic-based fertilisers, including seaweed products and fish, blood and bone. It should be noted, however, that fish, blood and bone is mildly alkaline because of the calcium in the bone so it would be best not to use where the soil is pH of 7 or above neutral to alkaline as this could encourage deficiencies such as chlorosis. To be clear, though, annual applications are unlikely to cause much problem and, where the pH is increased, the soil could be acidified to compensate for applying this useful fertiliser.
If the weather remains dry directly after applying fertiliser, water to dissolve the fertiliser and avoid damage to the roots. Camellias make lovely container-grown plants and this is a particularly good method if your garden soil is too alkaline for camellias.
Use an ericaceous or multi-purpose potting compost. John Innes ericaceous compost usually gives good results, as its loam content makes it especially easy to manage. RHS research has found that soil-less potting media, including peat-free potting composts , are suitable for camellia growing.
However these composts can lose their structure over time leading to poor drainage and an airless root environment, causing leaves to brown and die back. Re-potting in spring every other year into fresh potting compost is recommended. Keep in mind that growth rate varies wildly depending on zone, exposure, soil, and other conditions. If you need something that matures at a faster rate you should consider fast-growing deciduous plants for filtered light such as Calycanthus spp spicebush , hydrangeas , spireas , elderberry , forsythia.
Evergreen alternatives include heavenly bamboo, osmanthus, cherry laurel, and Solanum rantonnetii. Make sure it's getting enough water in summer and regular water year-round in order to produce healthy buds. Mulch will help maintain soil moisture. Late after July or excessive fertilizer can also cause bud drop. Check out the American Camellia Society website at www.
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Subscribe No Thanks. From tools to furniture, these garden products are sure to delight. Discover unique garden products curated by the Garden Design editors, plus items you can use to solve problems in your garden right now, and best sellers from around the web. Flower Resources Discover the right flowers for your garden. Exposure: Part shade to full shade. Bloom time: Different varieties of camellias bloom from late fall to mid-spring.
Flower color and characteristics: Beautiful flowers, mainly white and shades of pink or red, and various combinations. Life span: Camellias are long-lived plants, with some living more than years.
Where to plant: Site in a location protected from wind. How to plant: Plant level with the soil surface; especially avoid planting too deep. Planting in containers: Camellias are great for well-draining containers and should be planted with potting mix containing 50 percent or more organic material.
Keep it moist. Amendments: Keep roots cool with a 2-inch layer of mulch such as pine straw or ground bark. Vigorous, award-winning Camellia japonica 'Annie Wylam' features medium, in.
The elegant flowers, rich or many slender petaloids small petals , contrast nicely against the luxuriant, rich green, evergreen foliage.
The blooms are produced over several months in early to late season, in such profusion that this camellia becomes one of the glories of the spring garden when in full bloom. Out of bloom, this camellia remains particularly handsome and provides the perfect foil for foundation plantings and perennial borders. Vigorous and maybe one of the hardiest, Camellia japonica 'April Remembered' is a lovely Japanese camellia with masses of large, 4.
The blooms are produced over a fairly long period from early to late season October - May in the northern hemisphere; March - October in the southern hemisphere. They contrast beautifully with the evergreen foliage of glossy dark green leaves. Prized for its long-lasting season, award-winning Camellia japonica 'Carter's Sunburnt' is a remarkable Japanese camellia boasting very large, semi-double to loose peony-form flowers, 5.
The eye-catching flowers are happily produced over a fairly long period extending from early to late season, explaining the success of this Japanese camellia in the hearts of gardeners. They contrast beautifully with the evergreen foliage of large, glossy medium green leaves. Gracing American gardens for decades, Camellia japonica 'Don Mac' achieved instant popularity when it was released in the s.
Each large semi-double bloom, 5. The flowers are profusely produced over a fairly long period extending from early to late season. Forming an attractive dense, pyramidal shrub, this Japanese camellia adds year-round interest to the garden with its evergreen, leathery, dark-green, 4 in. This shrub has an upright oval habit and grows at an average growth rate. Fast growing, Camellia japonica 'Moonlight Bay' achieves breathtaking loveliness with its very large semi-double light orchid pink flowers, nearly 6 in.
Flat, the luminous petals delicately enclose an open center of gold stamens. The flowers are happily produced over a fairly long period extending from early to late season. Vigorous, this camellia forms an attractive dense bush year-round, with its lustrous foliage of glossy, evergreen, dark green leaves.
This shrub has a compact, upright habit. One of the most popular and easy to grow, award-winning Camellia x williamsii 'Anticipation' features great-looking, very large flowers of full peony form, 6 in.
The exquisite flowers are profusely produced over a fairly long period extending from early to late season October to May in the northern hemisphere; March to October in the southern hemisphere. Bushy, this tall camellia has a luxuriant evergreen foliage of glossy, bright green leaves that is handsome year-round.
Regarded as one of the finest hybrid camellias, award-winning Camellia x williamsii 'Donation' features large, semi-double, orchid-pink flowers, 5 in. The pretty flowers are profusely produced in mid-season January to March in the northern hemisphere; June to August in the southern hemisphere.
Vigorous, compact and strong-growing, this camellia has a luxuriant evergreen foliage of glossy, dark green leaves that is handsome year-round. A lovely formal double camellia, award-winning Camellia x williamsii 'Water Lily' features large, bright rose-pink flowers, 4 in.
Delicately rolled at their edges, the slender petals are adorned with darker pink tints at their tips. Resembling water lilies, the elegant flowers are profusely produced over a fairly long period extending from early to late season October to May in the northern hemisphere; March to October in the southern hemisphere.
Vigorous and compact, this camellia has a luxuriant evergreen foliage of glossy, green leaves that remains handsome year-round. While extraordinarily good-looking on their own, Camellias however look most charming when planted with companion plants.
Well-behaved, they make perfect partners with other plants and help create strikingly beautiful combinations in the garden. Learn More. Until recently, Camellias were the privilege of mild winter regions Zones Thanks to advancements in breeding, many new camellia varieties can be successfully grown in Zone 6 where they can endure temperatures as cool as F C if grown in sheltered locations.
Here is a selection of winter hardy camellias that could become the highlight of your fall or spring garden!
As summer fades and the leaves begin to turn, the fall-blooming camellias open the camellia season, adding charm and color in the garden, at a time of the year when most plants are going to bed for the winter.
These early season camellias boast some of the loveliest flowers in March - June in the southern hemisphere; in October - January in the northern hemisphere. Here is a selection of fragrant camellias that could become the highlight of your fall, winter or spring garden!
These late season Camellias are in their full glory in August - October in the southern hemisphere; March - May in the northern hemisphere. Adding color and interest to the spring garden, these gorgeous flowering shrubs are highly prized for the beauty of their exquisite blooms, their splendid evergreen foliage and their compact shapely habit. There are camellia varieties for almost any garden situation, in a wide range of flower shapes and colors, sizes, growth habit and blooming seasons.
What a treat to find evergreen shrubs that flower during the dull days of winter. If you will need to water frequently because you live in a low rainfall area, a water butt collecting rainfall is by far the best solution.
Occasional use of tap water won't harm the plants but continuous use will. We strongly recommend a twice yearly feed of blood, fish and bone in spring and early summer two handfuls per plant each time. We do not recommend the use of quick fix nitrogen fertilisers which can encourage the growth of lots of weak foliage. Do not feed the plants from mid August to late January. When the plants get to three or four years they should be able to look after themselves in the UK as far as water and feeding are concerned.
In very warm and dry summers a good drenching with water will help them form buds and growth for the next year. For the first four years there will be no need to prune your camellia, it's best to leave it to its own devices to build up strength. After that we recommend two pruning actions each year:. The only other pruning will be to keep the plant in shape and to the size you want. An established camellia will tolerate drastic pruning with no long term effects.
So, pruning to shape is entirely up to you, there are no special technique required. The other consideration with growing Camellias in pots is size, both the size of the container and the size of the shrub. The larger the container the better for you and your plants because large containers require less frequent watering.
The larger the container, within reason, the better. Container grown plants dry out easily in warm weather and may need watering two or more times a week in very warm weather. A handful of blood, fish and bone fertiliser every month from April to August will provide sufficient nutrients for a healthy plant. An excellent alternative is long-lasting feed for acid loving plants available at large garden centres and diy stores.
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