This beautiful, flowering shrub loves the Southern climate.
Key Takeaways
The South is the heart of camellia country.
Indeed, common camellia(Camellia japonica)is even Alabama’s state flower.
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More than 3,000 named kinds of camellias exist in a remarkable range of colors, forms, and sizes.
They arenot browsed by deer, another plus point for life outdoors in the South.
Read on for more tips on planting and tending camellias.
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Be sure to mulch thoroughly to keep roots cool and the soil moist.
Regular watering is critical during the first year, after which they can handle occasionally dry weather.
Site them well in quality soil and they will provide years of enjoyment with little effort on your part.
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japonica, but still prefers some protection during the afternoon hours.
Camellias can thrive in dappled sunlight all day, but deep shade results in thinning foliage and fewer blooms.
This plant does not tolerate alkaline soils, which can lead to low iron uptake and yellowing leaves.
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Water
New plants should be watered regularly the first year or two.
If you do water them, verify the soil is well drained.
However, as buds form, ensure to supply supplemental water during periods of drought.
Excessive or prolonged cold snaps can cause bud drop in winter-blooming types.
They do not tolerate salt spray, so the coast is not ideal for camellia planting.
Apply at the rate recommended on the label.
Here are a few popular selections by species.
These species grow more compactly than common camellias, reaching about 10-12 feet tall and wide at maturity.
Pruning
Prune camelliassoon after bloominghas ended.
Shorten lower branches to encourage upright growth; cut back top growth to make lanky shrubs bushier.
Making your cuts just above this point usually forces three or four dominant buds into growth.
Soak in water for 12 hours to aid in germination.
Plant the seeds in a damp, high-quality soil, peat moss, or peat moss and sand mixture.
After germination, seedlings can be planted outdoors.
Compact varieties are best for containers.
To survive the winter, container-grown camellias must be able to tolerate two hardiness zones colder than your climate.
Fill the container with a potting mix containing 50 percent or more organic material.
see to it the container has a generous drainage hole.
Fertilize with water-soluble plant feed for acid-loving shrubs in spring and summer.
If you live in the Upper South, plant in a spot that is sheltered from strong winds.
Camellias appreciate a layer of mulch to moderate soil temperature and moisture.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Tea scale is a common pest for camellias.
Infested leaves turn yellow and drop.
Two fungal diseases are common: Camellia petal blight causes flowers to turn brown rapidly, then drop.
Remove and discard any existing mulch, then replace it with a 1-inch layer of fresh mulch.
The best control is to remove and destroy affected leaves.
Camellia dieback and canker is one of the most serious fungal diseases.
Leaves suddenly turn yellow and wilt, and branch tips die.
Gray blotches can appear on the bark, eventually developing into sunken cankers that girdle the stem.
Applying a copper-based fungicide may help.
How To Get Camellias To Bloom
Bud drop is a frequent complaint.
Keep new camellias well watered to encourage buds to open.
High-nitrogen fertilizers encourage the shrubs to grow more rapidly but may decrease blooming.
And finally, remember that pruning removes flower buds from the plant when done too late in the year.
venture to prune right after flowering.
By keeping your plant in as healthy condition as possible, it can last for decades.
Below are two common problems with the plants and how to solve them.
Scorched Leaves
Scorched and bronzed areas on the leaves usually indicate sunscald.
Camellia foliage may also fade or turn slightly yellow in full sun.
Plant in a shadier location and increase watering if the plant is frequently dry.
It’s normal for a few leaves to yellow and drop from the plant with age.
Sometimes magnesium deficiency can cause chlorosis; have your soil tested and apply Epsom salt (typically 1 tbsp.
per gallon of water) if recommended.
Camellias are slow growing, but can eventually spread to as much as 10 feet wide.
They do not tend to spread by suckering, but their seeds may sprout around your garden.
