Southern Camellias are Cherished

When you think of winter in the garden, you don’t necessarily think of evergreen foliage and bright, lush blooms. With cold weather, a lot of plants will die back or go into dormancy. Enter camellias! Camellias provide glossy evergreen foliage and full, colorful blooms even in winter.

While camellias are popular here in the south, they come from Asia. There are two common types- Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua. They are very similar but do bloom at different times. Japonica species typically bloom between fall and spring while sasanquas bloom between summer and winter. There are many different flower forms of camellias, from single and double to peony and rose form. The colors of the blooms typically range from white to pink to red. With consideration, you can have a camellia garden that has blooms year-round with a variety of textures and colors.

Camellias are relatively easy to grow given the proper location. Plant them in fall or spring in an area that has afternoon shade. Camellias prefer less sun, but will tolerate more once they are well established. If they receive very little to no sun, they will struggle to bloom. They prefer well-draining, slightly acidic soil. If the pH is too high, this can cause the leaves of the camellia to yellow. It is handy to have a pH meter and soil acidifier to remedy this issue. A pH of 5.5-6.5 is ideal. When planting, be sure to not plant too deep as this can cause the plant to rot. Give young plants plenty of water to help them establish their roots. Prune your camellia after its bloom period ends.

If you need year-round color, camellias are perfect for you. They can be tricky at first, so if you need help call Savannah Interior Plant Designs at 508-801-6015. We can work with you and your budget to design, install, and maintain your garden space.

Camellia Quick Tips

• Evergreen flowering shrub

• Partial sun, afternoon shade

• Slightly acidic, well-draining soil

• Prune after bloom

• 2 main types- japonica and sasanqua

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