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For those in warmer mood like the South and Pacific Northwest , camellias are a intimate visual modality growing in gardens . These plants are prized for their winter stunner when so much of the garden is colorless .
The evergreen foliage and shiny , cheerful flowers are welcome in an otherwise dismal time of class . This is why we sometimes call them the pink wine of wintertime . Camellias are also prolific bloomer that get from a misconception that they are hard to grow .
If you want to see just how easy camellias are , let ’s get into growing and caring for this wonderful plant .
What Are Camellias?
Camellias are bear on to other tea plant in the Theaceae family . They ’re aboriginal to east and south Asia include Japan and Indonesia . These plants are used to create tea , particularlyCamellia sinensisspecies .
There are around 220 variety , as well as over 3000 hybrid , all of which are evergreen shrubs , or minor Tree .
Camellias were grow and admire in Japan and China many twelvemonth before they appeared in European countries , conceive to have spread around the Earth thanks to the tea trade .
10 of The Best Camellia Options
There are so many unlike mintage , cultivars , and hybrids of camelia , but here are a few stars you may need to turn over . The bulk of species available for the home nurseryman areC. sasanquaorC.japonica .
C. sasanquaplants normally blossom around October to December . They like the sun and acquire heavy prime . These are pretty cold - patient of , generally flourish in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 - 9 .
C. japonicablooms from January to March . They prefer more warmth and a little shade . These grow best in Zones 7 - 10 .
1. Debutante
‘ Debutante ’ is a perfect choice if you want a bright color for as long as potential in the wintertime garden . This one has a long flower time from October to May . It is good for Zones 7 - 10 . In Zone 7 , you ’ll need to provide winter protection .
In Zones 8 to 10 , no tribute is necessary .
With thisjaponicacultivar , you will get beautiful lighter and deep pink blooms on inscrutable immature foliage up to 12 feet tall .
2. High Fragrance
It ’s no secret that camellia blossoms do n’t have a flowery fragrance . But ‘ High Fragrance ’ was build up to have deep pink flowers that prompt people of roses and jasmine .
At a compendious four to six feet tall , this hybrid is a perfect pick for small areas . Hardy in geographical zone 7 to 10 , ‘ High Fragrance ’ blooms late winter to early spring .
3. Kramer’s Supreme
When the wintertime garden is sluggish , ‘ Kramer ’s Supreme ’ is a welcome distraction with bright flushed bloom from November to at least March .
Best suited for zone 8 to 10 , thisjaponicacultivar will grow to about six to eight feet grandiloquent with a rounded drug abuse .
4. April Dawn
For those who care a massive burst of efflorescence and color , ‘ April Dawn ’ is for you . endearing white heyday with accents of deep pink , give you a giant wall of candyfloss - colored bloom . This evergreen show - off grows up to eight groundwork tall with bloom around four inches across .
The colorful display start in tardy winter and continues until tardy spring .
‘ April Dawn ’ is a moth-eaten hardyjaponicacultivar and grows in Zones 6 to 9 unless temperature go below 10ºF. Then it will need some protection .
5. White By The Gate
If you live in Zones 7 to 9 and love sodding white blooms , choose ‘ White by the Gate . ’ Many camellias have a tinge of color when the blooms are clean , but thisjaponicacultivar is pure whiteness .
leave shade when it ’s young and plenty of water . Older specimens are reasonably drouth - resistant when mulched .
plant life anytime between November and March when the weather is cooler .
6. Moonshadow
This is a marvelous industrial plant , rise up to 10 metrical unit tall . The flowers on thissasanquaare gorgeous : Think white blooms with dark-skinned pinkish edges , gradually fading as the color moves toward the center of the bloom .
The delicate pinko is met by yellow stamens surrounded by a darker pinkish colour . Plant in a infinite with dappled sunlight in Zones 7 to 9 or try your hand at espalier forming .
7. Yuletide
hopeful red bloom with sensational yellow stamens that attract pollinator in winter are what you ’ll get with ‘ Yuletide . ’
establish this evergreensasanquacultivar in Zones 7 to 10 and it mature to about 10 feet tall . you’re able to even use this cultivar as a colorful wintertime hedge .
8. Jordan’s Pride
At 12 feet tall , C. japonica‘Herme ’ is a big industrial plant . Blooms look between January and March . plant life in Zones 7 to 9 and consider form Jordan ’s pridefulness , as this one is unremarkably lie with , into a tree anatomy .
The deep unripe leafage contrast wonderfully with the light and drear pink striped petals of the flowers .
9. Bloomfield
This is a spring - bloomingjaponicacultivar that reaches up to 12 feet grandiloquent and six animal foot wide . One of the camelia that is happing raise in Zone 6 , the brilliant red flowers look in winter if it ’s mild or early leap when it ’s warm .
10. Shishi Gashira
Hot pink and tittup is the best way to describe the blooms of the four to five - foot - tall ‘ Shishi Gashira . ’
you’re able to see blossoms for six calendar month of the twelvemonth in the good stipulation , or even implant this sasanqua cultivar in pots where it is quite glad . Just verify you cut back it to regulate once the last of the bloom have go .
In Zones 7 to 10 , you will get vivacious pinkish flowers in fall and through winter .
How to Propagate Camellias
Be sure to purchase camelia from a reputable trafficker . Most good marketer have plant that are ready to plant outside , and they usually stock specimen that are hardy enough for your region .
you’re able to also circularise camellias yourself . To save money , or just because it ’s quite comfortable , take cuttings from multiple plants and see what you terminate up with .
How to Care For Camellias
Depending on the species or cultivar , camellias mature in Zones 6 to 10 .
Plant in bounce to give the plant time to establish its roots before the cold weather condition squawk in .
The soil should be organically rich and have a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 . The soil must drain well , but concord sufficient moisture .
render dappled sunlight from the afternoon sun . The morning sun can burn up the ticklish flush if they are still report in dew and moisture and you live in a region that gets red-hot .
see to it the specific requirements of your fussy plant , as some like full shade , or a little more sun , though most can tolerate full sunshine .
Protect from winds because the bud are quite ticklish .
The grease should stay dampish , though once establish they can tolerate some drought .
Fertilizing and Pruning Camellias
Camellias are heavy birdfeeder , but you should only feed them twice a yr . Once as the buds are shape in the fall and once as the bud open in the winter or leaping . employ a natural , all - purpose food or onemade specifically for camellias .
synthetical fertiliser can damage the bush , causing bud pearl . Too much fertiliser can cause this as well .
In summertime , mulch around the plant with well - rot manure or compost . you may also sprinkle a small blood and bone around the plant in early springiness before buds appear .
If you do n’t have thecorrect grease pHfor these plant , you will necessitate to remedy the soil each year withaluminum sulphate .
Most camellias do n’t call for too much pruning due to their pleasant form . If you do prune to shape , do so just after bloom . This fashion , you wo n’t affect next year ’s blooms . Always remove any discredited or pathological branches .
Best Companion Plants for Camellias
Anything that loves slightly acidic ground and a suggestion of shade can do well with camellias . essay the following :
Problems and Solutions for Growing Camellias
Yes , camellias are prone to some problem . However , if you keep them well - watered and in the appropriate soil with the right pH , they ’ll be much less likely to have outcome . Here are the most common problems :
Camilla Petal Blight
This await like little rust spots on the petals . The best thing to do is remove any bloom that are infected . Remove all fallen blooms as soon as potential .
If you have camellia petal blight and remove the blossom , verify you remove the old mulch and replace it with new , fresh mulch .
Root Rot Fungus
deflect any root - bound government issue with camellias by ensuring the dirt is well draining . The most common symptom is yellowing of the foliage and wilting of the entire works .
Dig a little into the grime and if the beginning are reddish , brown or else of ashen , root rot is likely the government issue .
expend a generic antifungal agent to halt the fungus as best you may . It will take a few seasons for the shrub to recover fully .
Mites
Mites like the evergreen plant foliage of camelia . You will see touch under the leaves and they search like be active dust particles . If the leaves look desiccate despite sufficient water , check the undersides .
Typically , if you spray your plants once a week with a attack of water , that ’s enough to knock these pests loose and institutionalize them packing . You ’ll have to do this for at least a calendar month . If that does n’t operate , spray with atargeted touch killer .
Aphids
Aphids are attracted to camellia when there is new growth , especially bud . See our aphid articleherefor tips on identification and control .
Leaf Gall
Leaf freshness sometimes appear in the spring flush of growth have by the fungusExobasidium camelliae . The raw flowers and leaves become inspissate and pallid and calculate powdery .
Remove all septic part of the plant and spray with a fungicide .
Using Camellias
Camellia leaves and petals are edible and are used around the world to make tea . These plant also make a yield that is filled with several seeds . These seeds can be used to make eatable or cosmetic oil .
Not all camelia produce yield , though . It depends on the type and if there are enough pollinators in your garden to fertilize the efflorescence so they ’ll produce fruit .
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