From the Santa Cruz Sentinel
March 10, 2005
Camellias planted in the right spot require almost no care. They grace our winter gardens with color at the time of year when we are trying to stay warm and dry. It seems the more you know about camellias, the more you will want to grow them.
Species to
know
The camellia family is quite large; here are some of the most common species
found in the garden.
Camellia japonica — the parent of the most common blooming camellia cultivars. Blooming from late fall to late spring with the height of the season coming in February and March. C. japonicas have large dark evergreen glossy leaves. Blooms range from tiny blossoms considered miniatures (under 2.5 inches) to the biggest ones termed very large (5-plus inches). Their flowers can be a pure white, almost any color of pink up to a warm deep red. Extensive breeding has created many flower forms including anemone, semi- doubles and rose-form doubles. C. japonicas can stand alone, thrive in a container, or can be espaliered.
Camellia reticulate — this rare camellia blooms late February through early April. Yunnan, China, is their original home, where they were grown as temple trees reaching up to 40 feet. Today’s cultivars have retained many of the qualities of the original multi-stemmed tree ancestors. They have a tall open form, lanky in appearance with sparse foliage. Blooming in shades of pink they produce some of the largest flowers in the camellia family, reaching dinner-plate size of 9 inches.
Camellia sasanqua – this camellia originates in southern Japan. Unlike many of its relatives, it blooms in the fall, tolerates sun and grows in a tightly branched small-leafed form that tends to weep downward. A perfect match for a formal garden, it can be espaliered against a fence or wall, trained into a topiary, or trimmed into a hedge. Its blooms are either single or semi-double in form, about 2 inches in size with a slight fragrance.
Camellia cuspidata — this unique camellia blooms February through March. It is a graceful airy shrub with small elliptical shaped leaves that grow on slender long stems. In bloom heavy terminal clusters of tiny white flowers weigh down the limber stems. Dazzle your friends with your camellia knowledge by telling them that C. cuspidate looks very much like its highly valued relative C. sinensis which is the plant that tea is made from.
Immerse
yourself
Treat yourself to a day of camellia elegance with a visit to the gardens at the
historic Filoli Estate in Woodside. The camellias are in full bloom this time of
year. Wander through the 16 acres of formal gardens containing more than 300
camellia plants including nine of the 80 species known worldide and more than
150 varieties. It is a great opportunity to see camellias that are well over 50
years old and used in a number of garden settings from potted to espaliered.
Growing
primer
Location, location, location really is the key for success. Camellias are
understory plants that require protection from the hot afternoon sun. Plant them
on the north side of your home or under the canopy of a tree. Once the spot has
been chosen consider the soil. Well drained, slightly acidic soil that is high
in organic matter is perfect. Position the root ball in the planting hole at the
same depth as in the purchased container. Planting too deep can invite disease
problems later. Mulch periodically to retain moisture and keep the soil
temperature cool. Camellia maintenance is minimal. Prune when you want to shape
or reduce the size of the shrub just after blooming in the early summer.
Fertilize after flowering. Many commercial fertilizers are available. For best
results follow label directions