is a camellia evergreen

What is a camellia shrub?

Queens of the winter flowers, Camellias are attractive evergreen shrubs that are highly prized for the beauty of their exquisite blooms, their splendid evergreen foliage and their compact shapely habit.

When does a camellia Bloom?

The blooms are produced over a fairly long period in late season (March - May in the northern hemisphere; August - October in the southern hemisphere). They contrast beautifully with the evergreen foliage of glossy dark green leaves. This glorious camellia can be successfully grown in regions as cold as USDA Zone 6B.

Are there any winter hardy camellias?

Here is a selection of winter hardy camellias that could become the highlight of your fall or spring garden! Camellia japonica is the predominant species of the genus and counts over 30 000 cultivars in a wide array of flower forms and colors.

How big do camellias get?

Camellia reticulata has some of the biggest and most spectacular flowers, but is a rather gaunt and open shrub, about 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide.

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Do camellias lose their leaves in winter?

Camellia leaves are evergreen, meaning that they don't drop in the fall, and winter burn or frost can damage them. Normally, yellowing will self-correct as spring rolls around, but any foliage or branches that die off should be pruned away in the spring.

Where is the best place to plant a camellia?

Camellias prefer a position that is in dappled or full shade. An area that gets morning shade is best as direct sun in the morning can dry out the developing flower buds too quickly. Camellias are woodland plants and do not cope well in a sunny, south facing spot.

Do camellia plants stay green all year?

As the name suggests, these plants stay green all year long, which can brighten many a winter garden, especially in northern climates.

Can camellia survive snow?

Camellias exposed to cold wind are susceptible to winter burn, especially on the south side of the plant. The problem is compounded if the snow reflects light. There isn't too much you can do at this point, and the camellia may rebound and replace lost growth by spring or early summer.

Are camellias fast growing?

Camellia is a rapid grower and will reach 6 to 14 feet high by 5 to 7 feet wide. The plant requires full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils with a neutral to acidic pH. It will grow in clay, loam, or sandy soils and is slightly salt tolerant.

Do camellias need a lot of water?

If it feels dry 2 to 3 inches down into the soil, you should water. In general, if you planted during the fall, you'll need to water only about once every week or two, assuming you haven't had any rain. If you plant in the spring, water deeply once a week for the first month, then cut back to every other week.

What do you do with camellias in the winter?

Potted camellias in winter Still, you should wait as long as possible to move them indoors. Camellias should remain outside until temperatures fall below freezing for extended periods, or at the latest until they fall below -5 °C. After that, the plants need to move to bright winter quarters.

Do camellias like full sun or shade?

In general, camellias grow and bloom better in light, partial shade, with shelter from hot afternoon sun. This is especially true for young plants, which thrive under the shade of tall trees or when grown on the north side of a house.

Can camellias survive a freeze?

Camellias, especially most varieties of C. japonica, can tolerate surprisingly low temperatures in winter, particularly if they are sheltered from cold winds during relatively short spells of 3 or 4 days of below freezing conditions and have had a chance to become dormant.

Do camellias need to be covered in winter?

Do they need protection during heavy frost and low temperatures? Answer: Camellias are hardy and need flower protection only when the temperatures drop below freezing. Even then only the opening buds showing color are likely to be damaged. After the cold, the tight buds should continue growth and flower.

How often do you water camellias in winter?

During the fall, winter, and early spring months, camellias should be watered 2-3 times per week if they have not received precipitation in the form of rain. This will allow for sufficient blooms to form and maintain a long blooming season.

How much sun does a camellia need?

Light: In general, camellias grow and bloom better in partial shade (morning sun and dappled afternoon shade are ideal conditions) with shelter from hot afternoon sun. This is especially true for young plants, which thrive under the shade of tall trees or when grown on the north side of a house.

What side of the house do you plant a camellia?

In general, camellias grow and bloom better in light, partial shade, with shelter from hot afternoon sun. This is especially true for young plants, which thrive under the shade of tall trees or when grown on the north side of a house.

Can you plant camellias next to the house?

Camellias Spacing If you are growing a hedge or border, you can plant slightly closer than that (5 feet apart in the example above). It should also be at least 4 ft. away from a building.

Can I plant a camellia in the ground?

If you're planting directly in the ground (as opposed to planting in a container) make sure you make a hole at least twice as deep and twice as wide as the potted roots of the Camellia. Before you even think about planting, stand the plant in a bucket of water for at least an hour.

What can I plant next to a camellia?

When it comes to choosing camellia plant companions, consider plants such as hostas, rhododendrons, ferns, or azaleas. Camellias are shallow-rooted plants, which means they won't thrive next to trees or shrubs with long, complex root systems. For instance, you may want to avoid poplars, willows, or elms.

What is a camellia shrub?

Camellias are large, attractive, broad-leaved, evergreen shrubs that are highly prized for their flowers, which bloom from winter to spring. There are more than 2,300 named cultivars registered with the American Camellia Society. In South Carolina the primary camellias used include cultivars of Japanese camellia ( Camellia japonica ), Sasanqua camellia ( C. sasanqua and two closely related species, C. hiemalis, and C. vernalis ), tea camellia (C. sinensis), tea-oil camellia ( C. oleifera ), and many hybrids using two other species extensively ( C. reticulata and C. salvenensis ).

How tall does a camellia grow?

Common Japanese Camellia ( Camellia japonica) is a broadleaved, evergreen shrub, which may grow to a height of 25 feet, but more often to 6 to 12 feet. It has a spread of 6 to 10 feet. The dark-green leathery leaves are 4 inches long.

What are the diseases of camellias?

Three diseases and one insect pest are serious on camellias in South Carolina: 1 Dieback and canker 2 Root rot 3 Camellia flower blight 4 Tea scale

Why do my camellias have buds dropping?

Some flower bud dropping may be a natural phenomenon. Many camellias set more buds than they can open. Bud drop can be caused by under-watering in the summer.

What is the color of tea camellia?

Tea camellia flowers in the fall, and the straight species has white flowers. The variety ‘Rosea’ has pale pink flowers, and new foliage has a reddish tint. Tea oil camellia ( Camellia oleifera) is a large shrub to 20 feet tall with glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant, 2-inch-wide flowers in fall.

When do Camellia japonicas bloom?

The listing specifies bloom season, flower size, color and petal configuration. The earliest types start blooming in November in the Low country, while late varieties still have flowers in May. Very large flowers are over 5 inches in diameter, large are 4 inches, medium are 3 inches, small are 2 inches or less across.

When does tea oil camellia bloom?

Tea oil camellia (Camellia oleifera ‘Snow Flurry’) blooming in November. Joey Williamson, ©2012 HGIC, Clemson Extension. Camellia reticulata has some of the biggest and most spectacular flowers, but is a rather gaunt and open shrub, about 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide. This species is very susceptible to cold.

What is a camellia?

Camellias are evergreens with dark, glossy leaves. Flowers may be white, pink, red, or streaked, and blooms can be single or double. It is popularly used in shrub borders, backgrounds, and loose hedges. Camellia can be used as an espalier specimen —training the shrub to grow flat against a fence or wall.

How long do camellias live?

The camellia is a flowering shrub cultivated for more than 1,000 years and is the southern U.S. answer to the peony. Similarities between peonies and camellias include lushly petaled blooms and a tendency to live for more than a century. They live so long because they grow slowly. Camellias are part of the Theaceae or tea plant family, including the most common ornamental species, C. japonica and C. sasanqua. Camellia sinensis yields flowers that produce tea, but it is not as ornamental. They can be planted anytime except for the hottest summer months.

Why do camellias live so long?

They live so long because they grow slowly. Camellias are part of the Theaceae or tea plant family, including the most common ornamental species, C. japonica and C. sasanqua. Camellia sinensis yields flowers that produce tea, but it is not as ornamental. They can be planted anytime except for the hottest summer months.

What zone is camellia hardy in?

Temperature and Humidity. Camellias are reliably hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9, although the fall-blooming ‘Winter’ series and spring-blooming ‘April’ series of camellias are hardy in zone 6B.

Why are my camellia leaves yellow?

If your camellia develops yellow leaves, inspect the undersides of leaves for tea scale, an insect pest that feeds on leaf juices. Although the leaves will appear yellow on top, the undersides will look white or fuzzy. Treat tea scale with horticultural oil. An iron deficiency can also cause yellow leaves.

When do camellia seeds ripen?

Camellia seeds ripen at different times depending on variety and location, but it's usually in the early fall. When seeds are mature, the pod begins to crack slightly and seeds are ready to be picked. If you have seeds, soak the seed for 12 hours or carefully crack the hard coat to aid in germination.

Do camellias bloom in the winter?

Overwintering. Camellia is an evergreen shrub that blooms in the winter in the South, where the winters are mild. If you have camellia in a container and you live in cooler climates, ensure that the soil and root systems are protected from freezing solid.

Where does camellia come from?

Description. Camellia is a showy and fragrant, broadleaf evergreen, woody shrub native to Japan. It is a member of the Theaceae (tea) family. The word camellia is derived from Georg Josef Kamel (1706), a Jesuit missionary and naturalist who introduced Philippine flora to Europe. The Latin name for Kamel is Camellus.

How long does it take for a camellia to bloom?

A camellia will flower over a period of four to six weeks. In the landscape, Camellia works well as an accent plant, a privacy hedge, or a tall foundation planting. It can be pruned into a "small tree" form. It blooms in a different season than its cousin C. japonica and is also more resistant to Phytophthora root rot.

What diseases are common in camellias?

Camellias are susceptible to a number of fungal diseases including leaf spots, anthracnose, viruses, black mold, petal blight, canker, and root rot. All camellias are susceptible to petal blight fungus; however, weather conditions are generally not favorable for the fungus to germinate when Camellia sasanquas bloom in the fall.

What is the name of the plant that grows in clay soil?

The Latin name for Kamel is Camellus. Camellia is a rapid grower and will reach 6 to 14 feet high by 5 to 7 feet wide. The plant requires full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils with a neutral to acidic pH. It will grow in clay, loam, or sandy soils and is slightly salt tolerant.

What are the problems with camellias?

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Camellias are susceptible to a number of fungal diseases including leaf spots, anthracnose, viruses, black mold, petal blight, canker, and root rot. If petal blight occurs (browning that runs from edges to the center), all infected plant parts should be promptly removed.

How big are axillary flowers?

Flowers are axillary 2 to 3 inches across, white to pink in color.

When do solitary flowers bloom?

2-3 in. single or double white, pink or red fragrant flowers from September to December. Solitary (rarely 2 or 3 together), white, pink, red and color combinations thereof, usually singles, in axils petals are ruffly and fluted, with central yellow stamens.

How tall do camellias grow?

Camellias can grow to be very tall. These shrubs are not usually low-to-the-ground growers. While a few camellias grow from 2-4 feet tall, others grow straight up on strong woody trunks and can reach heights of 6-15 feet tall with 4-7 foot widths.

What are the colors of camellias?

Depending on the selection, camellias bloom out in splashy shades of white, pink, red, and magenta, and some are even speckled and striped. They provide beautiful garden color throughout the South. Some of the most popular camellias to plant in the South include ‘Yuletide' Camellia ( Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide') and Early Wonder Camellia ( Camellia japonica ‘Early Autumn'), both of which can be found in the Southern Living Plant Collection.

What are the most popular camellias in the South?

Some of the most popular camellias to plant in the South include ‘Yuletide' Camellia ( Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide') and Early Wonder Camellia ( Camellia japonica ‘Early Autumn'), both of which can be found in the Southern Living Plant Collection. From their showy flowers to their tall upright growth to their glossy, deep green leaves, ...

What is the role of camellias in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Camellias play a role in Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird. One of the plot points in Harper Lee's classic 1960 novel involves Jem Finch (Atticus' son and Scout's brother), Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose, and her camellia flowers.

How many species of camellias are there?

There are thousands of named camellia hybrids. There are over 300 known species of camellias and countless thousands of hybrid cultivars. The most well-known camellia species is the common camellia (Camellia japonica).

When do camellias bloom?

Try Diana Camellia ( Camellia sasanqua ‘TDN 1110') for lush white blooms and Alabama Beauty Camellia ( Camellia sasanqua ‘TDN 111') for rosy red blooms in October and November.

What is the state flower of Alabama?

The camellia is Alabama's state flower. The camellia was adopted as Alabama's state flower in 1959. Prior to that, Alabama's state flower was the goldenrod, which remains the state flower of Kentucky and Nebraska today.

Where do camellias come from?

Native to Asia , there are more than 200 species of camellias and thousands of varieties. The most-popular types of camellias in America are japonicas, sasanquas, and reticulatas, says William Khoury, superintendent of gardens for the American Camellia Society and Massee Lane Gardens in Georgia. Some people create large collections of different types of camellias, favoring the big blooms to exhibit at flower shows.

What zone do camellias grow in?

These evergreen shrubs and small trees aren't especially cold-hardy, so camellias have been limited mostly to USDA Zones 7-10. Breeders have created hardier varieties, though, and now there are several that can grow in Zone 6. One of the hardiest, Camellia japonica 'Korean Fire' may even survive with winter protection in Zone 5.

Why are camellias important?

This commodity, you may remember, happened to be what got thrown overboard during the Boston Tea Party in protest of taxation without representation. This event was the first to rally colonists together to fight for independence from Great Britain, so you could say that camellias played an important role in starting the American Revolution.

Why did Coco Chanel like camellias?

Images of the elegant blooms showed up in her jewelry, handbags, clothes, and other products. She's also reported to have liked them because they weren't fragrant, so they didn't compete with her signature perfume, Chanel No. 5.

Can you grow camellias in a pot?

And if your climate is too cold for camellias, "pots are an option," says Jenny Rydebrink, founder and CEO of Gardenize, a mobile app for gardeners. Grow your camellias in large containers you can bring inside. Keep them in cool but not freezing temperatures, give them as much light as possible, and water them enough so the roots don't completely dry out. Move the pots back outside in spring when temperatures stay above freezing. Just don't move the pots around too much, Rydebrink warns, because this can cause flowers and buds to fall off.

Do camellias bloom in the winter?

In the South where I live, camellias are everywhere. If you've ever experienced these shrubs or small trees in full bloom, it's not hard to see why. Sometimes called the rose of winter or the queen of winter flowers, camellia varieties usually bloom during the colder months. In addition to looking like roses, camellia flowers can be shaped like anemones or peonies. The blooms can be single, double, and semi-double, and come in red, pink, white, or a mix of these colors. But there's much more to camellias than their beautiful flowers, such as these fascinating facts you probably don't know about them.

Where does camellia come from?

The Japanese camellia is an evergreen woody tree or shrub in the Theaceae or tea family. Native to China, Korea and parts of Japan, it has become a southern gardening favorite. The word camellia is derived from Georg Josef Kamel (1706), a Jesuit missionary and naturalist who introduced Philippine flora to Europe.

What causes camellias to bloom late winter?

Flowers late winter to early spring (February to April) Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Camellia flower blight, caused by the fungus Ciborinia camelliae. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for " Trees, Shrubs and Conifers " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

What is the name of the plant that grows in shade?

The Latin name for Kamel is Camellus. Camellia prefers shade to part-shade with some protection from drying winter winds and well-drained soils that are high in organic matter and slightly acidic (pH 5.5 to 6.5). They are slow to grow and slow to establish but are long-lived plants.

What zone is Camellia in?

Until recently, Camellias were the privilege of mild winter regions (USDA zone 7-10). Thanks to advancements in breeding by Dr. William Ackerman of Ashton, Md., a retired U.S.D.A. plant breeder and Dr. Clifford Parks, a botanist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, many new camellia varieties can be successfully grown in Zone 6 ...

When do camellias bloom?

Blooming for weeks from fall to spring (depending on climate and variety), they reward gardeners with exquisite blooms of striking shapes and color at a time of year when the rest ...

What is a pink cicle?

Vigorous and pretty, Camellia 'Pink Icicle' is an eye-catching camellia with very large, 4.5 in. wide (11 cm), shell pink flowers, blooming in mid-season (late winter to spring depending on your area). The peony-form blooms consists of rabbit ear petals elegantly intermingled with petaloids (small petals) and golden stamen. The evergreen foliage of small, glossy, oval-shaped, dark green leaves makes a lovely foil for the large flowers. Developed by Dr. William Ackerman of the United States National Arboretum, this camellia hybrid is cold tolerant and can be successfully grown in regions as cold as USDA Zone 6b.

How long does it take for a snowflurry camellia to bloom?

National Arboretum Collection. Blooming over 4 to 6 weeks in late fall to early winter, each flower, 3-4 in. wide (7-10 cm), consists of 12 snow-white petals surrounding a prominent center of petaloids (small petals) and golden stamens. Petals are shed individually when blooms are completed, eliminating the need for any deadheading by the gardener. The foliage of leathery, slightly glossy, dark green leaves is very attractive.

What is the color of the Japanese camellia?

Extremely hardy, award-winning Camellia japonica 'Korean Fire' is a lovely spring-blooming Japanese camellia with masses of single, funnel-shaped, deep red flowers and a conspicuous center of golden-yellow stamens.

What is the most popular cold hardy fall blooming species?

The most popular of the cold-hardy, spring blooming species on the market belong to the 'April' series developed by Dr. Clifford Park.

When does the Camellia interlude bloom?

Camellia 'Winter's Interlude' is an eye-catching, early season camellia with magnificent clear pink flowers blooming massively over 4 to 6 weeks in November or December (depending on your area).

Mature Height/Spread

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