Camellia

Camellias are flowering, shade-loving, small trees or shrubs that are available in a remarkable range of colors, forms, and sizes. Depending on the variety they may bloom in late fall, winter and early spring adding cheer to the garden when little else is in flower. Their blooms, from white or pink to deep red, some as simple as a wild rose, others as full blown as a peony, are set against glossy dark green leaves. Grow a camellia as a spectacular specimen, plant several to form a loose hedge, or train them as espalier to cover fences and low walls.

Camellias are grown in hardiness zone 6b-9b. They require a loose, well-amended, acidic (6.5 pH) soil that is moist without remaining soggy, and little competition from other plants’ roots. Their roots have high oxygen demands, therefore are pretty shallow. Japonica camellias are not fragrant there are a few Sasanqua varieties that are memorably perfumed including Kramer’s Supreme Camellia, and Buttermint Camellia.  Japonicas are winter bloomers and in the winter there is little competition from other blooming plants to draw away pollinators.

Camellias are available in wide varieties. Call us or visit our nursery for more information.