If you’re looking for flowering shrubs with brilliant foliage to brighten up your garden and landscape, Camellia will suit you well!
Camellia spp., known by its common name Camellia, is a garden-favorite flowering evergreen shrub belonging to the genus Camellia and a member of the Theaceae or the tea family.
The Theaceae family has over 100 plant species and 40 tree and shrub species found in temperate and tropical regions.
The genus Camellia originated and was named after its discoverer, George Joseph Kamel, a Moravian Jesuit priest, missionary, botanist, and pharmacist.
He worked in the Philippines, where he first described a camellia species to the rest of the world.
This broadleaved, evergreen shrub is native to eastern and southern Asia, including the Philippines, Himalayas, Japan, and Indonesia.
It was cultivated for centuries, but it only first appeared in the United States in the early 1800s.
Camellias are well-loved due to their noteworthy features, including their conspicuous and lush blossoms with glossy leaves.
Over 250 Camellia species are known, and more than 2,300 named cultivars are recorded with the American Camellia Society.
Examples of the most popular Camellia species are:
- Camellia japonica “Japanese Camellia”
- Camellia sasanqua “Sasanqua Camellia”
- Camellia sinensis “Tea Plant”
- Camellia x williamsii “Hybrid Camellia”
Quick Tips On Camellia
- Family: Theaceae
- Light: Light partial shade
- Temperature: 10° to 90° degrees Fahrenheit
- Water: Regular watering needs
- Fertilizer: Mineral or 10-10-10 slow-release fertilizer
- Propagation: Cuttings, air layering, or seeds
- Common Problems: Camellia petal blight, Camellia dieback, canker, root rot
Camellia Care
Camellias are easy to grow and care for as evergreen shrubs.
Here are the steps to consider when growing Camellias at home.
How Big Does The Camellia Flower Grow?
Most Camellia plants grow rapidly, often reaching 2′ to 12′ feet tall and 2′ to 10′ feet wide. However, the height may differ depending on the variety.
They grow around 30 cm per year until mature, though they also change depending on the Camellia variety and its geographical location.
The wild camellia species often grow from shrubs to small trees and grow from 50′ to 60′ feet tall.
Cold-hardy camellia types, such as Japanese camellias, typically grow slowly and may even reach hundred years of age. They can reach around 25′ feet tall or more.
When Does The Camellia Bloom? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
Camellia plants are prized for their showy lush flowers, with 5 to 9 petals overlapping and their dark green, glossy leaves, often serrated and arranged.
The flowers are bright and long blooming, with various colors ranging from white, red, pink, combination, and yellow.
The yellow variety of Camellia has no scent and is only found in South China and Vietnam.
Camellia blooms have six forms available, including:
- Single form
- Semi-double form
- Anemone form
- Peony form or Informal double
- Rose form double
- Formal double
You will witness Camellias bloom profusely for weeks in late fall, winter, or early spring, depending on the species and variety.
What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
Camellias thrive in light, partial shade, or dappled sunlight. A morning shade also suits them well, as direct morning sun can dry out the flower buds quickly.
They also need protection from the afternoon sun because it can scorch the blooms.
Most varieties of Camellias can tolerate temperatures between 10° to 90° degrees Fahrenheit.
However, cold-hardy types can tolerate temperatures as low as 5° degrees Fahrenheit and even lower if grown in Zone 6B.
Camellia plants are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 7 to 9, but some hybrid varieties are hardy in zone 6.
How And When To Water And Fertilize Camellia Flower?
Camellia flowers are well-known for being finicky, requiring regular watering during their first year.
Plenty of water is critical when camellias are young and establishing root systems.
You may use rainwater, as it is naturally slightly acidic, or tap water as a substitute.
Water the root ball thoroughly to ensure it is moist, but let the top slightly dry before the next watering.
After the Camellia plants are established and over 3 years old, they can get by with some supplemental water. However, ensure the soil is well-drained.
Camellias are best fed with a mineral, 10-10-10 slow-release, or nitrogen-rich slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring, late spring, and mid-summer.
Moreover, avoid feeding your Camellia flowers in August since cold temperatures can damage the new growth.
What Is The Best Soil For Camellia Plants, And When Should You Transplant?
Camellias thrive in slightly acidic, well-drained soil with an ideal pH level between the 6.0 to 6.5 range.
If your soil is neutral, you can make it more acidic by amending it with leaf mold, composted bracken, or pine needles.
Place these materials into the planting hole and mulch the plant with bark chippings or ericaceous compost.
If your soil doesn’t drain well and is dense clay, plant your Camellias in containers instead.
As for repotting, Camellias don’t need to be repotted often, as they are usually slow-growing plants.
However, if they are visibly pot-bound, repot them in spring with fresh compost.
Do Camellia Plants Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
Pruning Camellias is rarely needed, but if deemed necessary, prune them after flowering to keep the plant free from dead branches.
You can also remove branches that droop or show signs of fungal diseases.
How To Propagate Camellia Plants?
Camellia plants can be propagated via three methods:
- Cuttings
- Seeds
- Air layering
Propagating Camellias through seeds can take years to grow mature plants and bloom—that’s why growers prefer to use cuttings or air layering.
Growing Camellias through cuttings is one of the easiest methods to do.
Here’s how to propagate Camellias via cuttings:
- Take a cutting from a healthy stem in late spring or early summer.
- Make a slanted cup directly behind the fifth or sixth leaf node. The node is the stem section where leaves grow.
- Remove the leaves but leave the top two o three leaves.
- Dip the cutting into a rooting hormone, and stick it into the soil inside the container for at least 3″ inches.
- Cover the cuttings with a plastic bag to create a propagation chamber.
- Place the container with the Camellia cuttings in a warm, bright location without direct exposure to the sun.
- Always check for the Camellia cuttings for mold growth, opening the plastic several times daily.
- Mist the cuttings with clear water and keep the soil moist but not soggy.
You may notice the camellia cuttings for root growth after about three months.
Air layering is another easy and preferred propagation method.
If you’re planning to use this way, do the following:
- Bend a long Camellia stem down to the ground and make an angled cut.
- Curve the stem into the soil, with the wounded area buried in the ground.
- Use a wire or rock to hold the wounded stem in the soil.
You will notice a good root system develop from the wounded buried stem throughout an entire growing season, from the wound in the buried stem.
After this, you can cut it from the parent plant and dig it up to move elsewhere.
Camellia Plants Pests And Diseases
Camellias are adaptable plants but can be affected by serious diseases, including:
- Camellia petal blight
- Camellia dieback and canker
- Root rot
- Leaf spots
- Black mold
- Anthracnose
Fungicide may remedy these fungal diseases, but it’s best to cut the affected parts of Camellia instead to prevent the spread of the disease.
Uses Of Camellia Flowers
Camellias are lovely flowering shrubs best used in loose hedges, shrub borders, backgrounds, or any decorative landscape.
They also make excellent container plants and beautiful addition to floral wedding arrangements.
Some Camellia species are also used as a beverage. An example of this is Camellia sinensis, known as the tea plant. This plant’s leaves are commercially made into tea.
Tea is also made from Camellia sasanqua leaves in some parts of Japan.
By pressing, Camellia seeds can also be made into cooking oil and sweet seasoning.