Gardening Guides
Flowers and Plants
Mild-Winter Gardens Celebrate Colorful Camellias
Grow these evergreen beauties as standout accent plants or blend them into your garden landscape
It’s easy to understand why versatile camellias are a go-to plant for gardeners in warm-winter climates. They’re attractive evergreen shrubs or trees that are not hard to grow and are at home in a variety of garden settings. Even better, camellias bloom prolifically in fall and winter, adding much-wanted color to the landscape. Flowers come in varying shades of pastels and reds and in a variety of forms, some of which can resemble roses, peonies and anemones.
The flowers of ‘Diana’ sasanqua camellia (C. sasanqua ‘Diana’) are known for their pure white color and semi-double form.
Botanical names: Camellia japonica, C. sasanqua
Common name: Camellia
Origin: Native to southern and eastern Asia
Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 7 to 9; find your zone); newer hybrids can handle temperatures to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (zone 6)
Typical plant communities: Lightly shaded open forests
Water requirement: Moderate to regular; let the root ball dry out slightly between waterings
Light requirement: Light shade is ideal, though they can handle morning sun; sasanqua camellias are more sun-tolerant
Mature size: From 2 feet to 20 feet tall; most range from 6 to 15 feet tall and 5 to 10 feet wide
Botanical names: Camellia japonica, C. sasanqua
Common name: Camellia
Origin: Native to southern and eastern Asia
Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 7 to 9; find your zone); newer hybrids can handle temperatures to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (zone 6)
Typical plant communities: Lightly shaded open forests
Water requirement: Moderate to regular; let the root ball dry out slightly between waterings
Light requirement: Light shade is ideal, though they can handle morning sun; sasanqua camellias are more sun-tolerant
Mature size: From 2 feet to 20 feet tall; most range from 6 to 15 feet tall and 5 to 10 feet wide
‘Pink-a-Boo’ sasanqua camellia (C. sasanqua ‘Pink-a-Boo’)
Benefits and tolerances: Prefer acidic soil; can grow in the shade of taller trees with deep roots; some sasanqua varieties are fragrant as well
Benefits and tolerances: Prefer acidic soil; can grow in the shade of taller trees with deep roots; some sasanqua varieties are fragrant as well
‘Yuletide’ sasanqua camellia (C. sasanqua ‘Yuletide’), with its single red flowers, is a favorite for December color.
Seasonal interest: Long-lasting blooms in fall and winter; attractive leaves in summer
When to plant: Fall into winter; spring in colder-winter areas (zones 6 and 7 and colder)
Seasonal interest: Long-lasting blooms in fall and winter; attractive leaves in summer
When to plant: Fall into winter; spring in colder-winter areas (zones 6 and 7 and colder)
‘Inspiration’ sasanqua camellia (C. sasanqua ‘Inspiration’) shows off its double bicolor flower.
Distinguishing traits. Camellias feature thick green, glossy leaves. The flowers are known for their bright stamens and can be found in shades of white, pink, lavender and red. You can find single, semi-double and double flowers, along with those resembling anemones, peonies and roses. They can be trained as either a shrub or small tree.
Distinguishing traits. Camellias feature thick green, glossy leaves. The flowers are known for their bright stamens and can be found in shades of white, pink, lavender and red. You can find single, semi-double and double flowers, along with those resembling anemones, peonies and roses. They can be trained as either a shrub or small tree.
Camellias trained as small trees add winter color while screening the fence.
How to use it. Use in lightly shaded areas as either a tree or shrub. Camellias shine as specimen plants, but they will blend in nicely in beds or borders, especially in traditional, woodland and Asian-style gardens. They also make effective hedges and screens and can be espaliered along a wall or fence. Dwarf varieties that spread can be grown as a tall ground cover. Camellias are good choices for containers as well. Enjoy the blooms outdoors or bring them indoors to float in a shallow bowl filled with water for an effective display.
How to use it. Use in lightly shaded areas as either a tree or shrub. Camellias shine as specimen plants, but they will blend in nicely in beds or borders, especially in traditional, woodland and Asian-style gardens. They also make effective hedges and screens and can be espaliered along a wall or fence. Dwarf varieties that spread can be grown as a tall ground cover. Camellias are good choices for containers as well. Enjoy the blooms outdoors or bring them indoors to float in a shallow bowl filled with water for an effective display.
The double peony-like flower of ‘Ivory’ sasanqua camellia (C. sasanqua ‘Ivory’)
Planting notes. Choose a spot that gets light shade or morning sun and dappled afternoon shade that is sheltered from strong winds and sea spray. You’ll need a highly acidic soil (pH levels of 5.6 to 6.5) that is well-draining, as camellias don’t do well in soggy soil, and rich in organic material.
Dig a hole that is as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Add some soil back into the center of the hole so the top of the root ball will sit 2 to 4 inches above the soil line. Fill in with soil and water thoroughly. Add 3 to 4 inches of mulch around the plant but not over the root ball.
Water regularly at first. Once the plant is established, water deeply but less frequently, waiting until the top 1 to 2 inches of soil is dry, but provide water before the plant begins to wilt. Older plants that have thick enough leaf coverage to shade their roots can get by with less water.
Planting notes. Choose a spot that gets light shade or morning sun and dappled afternoon shade that is sheltered from strong winds and sea spray. You’ll need a highly acidic soil (pH levels of 5.6 to 6.5) that is well-draining, as camellias don’t do well in soggy soil, and rich in organic material.
Dig a hole that is as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Add some soil back into the center of the hole so the top of the root ball will sit 2 to 4 inches above the soil line. Fill in with soil and water thoroughly. Add 3 to 4 inches of mulch around the plant but not over the root ball.
Water regularly at first. Once the plant is established, water deeply but less frequently, waiting until the top 1 to 2 inches of soil is dry, but provide water before the plant begins to wilt. Older plants that have thick enough leaf coverage to shade their roots can get by with less water.
‘Shishi Gashira’ sasanqua camellia (C. sasanqua ‘Shishi Gashira’ ) can be grown as a tall ground cover.
Feed with an acid fertilizer designed for azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias after the flowers have dropped, following package recommendations. Fertilize again in midsummer if growth seems sluggish or foliage looks sparse and begins to lose its deep green color. Water thoroughly the day before you plan to feed. Don’t fertilize after July.
Feed with an acid fertilizer designed for azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias after the flowers have dropped, following package recommendations. Fertilize again in midsummer if growth seems sluggish or foliage looks sparse and begins to lose its deep green color. Water thoroughly the day before you plan to feed. Don’t fertilize after July.
‘Setsugekka’ sasanqua camellia (C. sasanqua ‘Setsugekka’ ) has large semi-double flowers with fluted edges.
Prune camellias as needed in spring, after they have stopped blooming. Remove dead, broken or crossing branches and shape to keep in bounds or keep them from getting too dense. Cut just above the thickened spot or scar on the branch that indicates where the previous year’s growth ended to encourage thickness. This is also the time to prune if you want to grow your camellia as a small tree or espalier.
See pruning tools
Prune camellias as needed in spring, after they have stopped blooming. Remove dead, broken or crossing branches and shape to keep in bounds or keep them from getting too dense. Cut just above the thickened spot or scar on the branch that indicates where the previous year’s growth ended to encourage thickness. This is also the time to prune if you want to grow your camellia as a small tree or espalier.
See pruning tools
‘Dawn’ sasanqua camellia (C. sasanqua ‘Dawn’) is an example of a rose-form peony.
Though camellias are generally easy to care for, they can be troubled by pests and diseases. The most common pest is tea scale, which can be treated with horticultural oil. Fungal problems include camellia petal blight, which results in flowers turning brown and dropping, and camellia leaf gall, which is characterized by leaves becoming thick and pale, eventually turning white and then brown.
Ward these off by removing the discolored flowers both on the plant and the ground below, by replacing the mulch and by removing the leaves before they turn white.
Though camellias are generally easy to care for, they can be troubled by pests and diseases. The most common pest is tea scale, which can be treated with horticultural oil. Fungal problems include camellia petal blight, which results in flowers turning brown and dropping, and camellia leaf gall, which is characterized by leaves becoming thick and pale, eventually turning white and then brown.
Ward these off by removing the discolored flowers both on the plant and the ground below, by replacing the mulch and by removing the leaves before they turn white.
The double flower of ‘Snow’ sasanqua camellia (C. sasanqua ‘Snow’)
Cultural problems include sunburn, which causes the center of the leaves to turn yellow or brown, and overfertilizing, which results in burnt leaf edges or excessive leaf drop. Correct the growing conditions by shading the plant or leaching out the fertilizer with water, making sure it drains well.
Chlorosis is caused by soil that is too neutral or alkaline and is characterized by yellow leaves with green veins. Fertilize with iron or chelated iron to correct the problem.
Camellias are also subject to some bud drop. If it’s excessive, it may be a result of too much or too little water or unexpected freezes.
Cultural problems include sunburn, which causes the center of the leaves to turn yellow or brown, and overfertilizing, which results in burnt leaf edges or excessive leaf drop. Correct the growing conditions by shading the plant or leaching out the fertilizer with water, making sure it drains well.
Chlorosis is caused by soil that is too neutral or alkaline and is characterized by yellow leaves with green veins. Fertilize with iron or chelated iron to correct the problem.
Camellias are also subject to some bud drop. If it’s excessive, it may be a result of too much or too little water or unexpected freezes.
‘Masayoshi’ camellia (C. japonica ‘Masayoshi’) sports an unusual painted look.
Edible interest. Camellias also play a role in edible gardening. C. sinensis, which can also be grown as an ornamental plant, are the traditional source of tea.
If you don’t use pesticides or other chemicals in your garden, you can use any camellia leaves as the base for creating chocolate leaves. Wash and dry the leaves, then melt chocolate in a small bowl. Paint the chocolate onto the underside of the leaves, coating them generously, then set them on a tray lined with wax paper. Refrigerate for 20 minutes until they harden, then peel the leaves from the chocolate. Store in an airtight container at room temperature until you are ready to use them.
Edible interest. Camellias also play a role in edible gardening. C. sinensis, which can also be grown as an ornamental plant, are the traditional source of tea.
If you don’t use pesticides or other chemicals in your garden, you can use any camellia leaves as the base for creating chocolate leaves. Wash and dry the leaves, then melt chocolate in a small bowl. Paint the chocolate onto the underside of the leaves, coating them generously, then set them on a tray lined with wax paper. Refrigerate for 20 minutes until they harden, then peel the leaves from the chocolate. Store in an airtight container at room temperature until you are ready to use them.
A white camellia adds winter color to a porch.
Growing in containers. Camellias are also a great choice for containers. They’re excellent for patios and entryways, and growing in containers may be your best choice if you live in an area with alkaline soil or want to be able to bring your camellia into a greenhouse to overwinter.
Use 12- or 14-inch-diameter pots for plants in one-gallon containers and move them to larger containers as they grow. Choose a container that is 18 inches in diameter for plants in 5-gallon containers. Use a potting mix designed for camellias with at least 50 percent organic material and provide adequate drainage so the soil doesn’t stay too moist. Feed with a fertilizer designed for camellias as you would for those in the ground.
More
10 Tips for Beginning Gardeners
See how to grow more flowers and plants
Growing in containers. Camellias are also a great choice for containers. They’re excellent for patios and entryways, and growing in containers may be your best choice if you live in an area with alkaline soil or want to be able to bring your camellia into a greenhouse to overwinter.
Use 12- or 14-inch-diameter pots for plants in one-gallon containers and move them to larger containers as they grow. Choose a container that is 18 inches in diameter for plants in 5-gallon containers. Use a potting mix designed for camellias with at least 50 percent organic material and provide adequate drainage so the soil doesn’t stay too moist. Feed with a fertilizer designed for camellias as you would for those in the ground.
More
10 Tips for Beginning Gardeners
See how to grow more flowers and plants
The two most popular choices are the japonica camellia (Camellia japonica) and the sasanqua camellia (Camellia sasanqua). Choose the more formal-looking japonicas for late fall to spring blooms or the somewhat smaller-flowered sasanquas for flowers in the fall and early winter. For a longer-lasting display, mix and match the two for color from October to April.
Even if you already have camellias in your garden, it’s worth taking a look at the newest offerings. The latest hybrids include more cold-hardy options, added fragrance and even some with yellow blooms.