Camellias – ‘Tis the Season to Celebrate their Blooms | Gardening

Camellias are a classic feature in southern gardens, so much so that it would be easy to mistake them for native plants. However, camellias are well adapted imports. They thrive in oppressive summer heat and humidity.

French plant explorer and botanist Andre Michaux brought the first Camellia japonica plants into the US through the Port of Charleston in the 1700s. He grew camellias on his own land (his base for exploration in America) just outside of Charleston and gave some of his original plants to his friend Henry Middleton, owner of Middleton Plantation where we can see century’s old camellias today.

The japonica species did not originate in Japan as its name might otherwise suggest, but it is indigenous to China’s SE mountainous coastal region between Shanghai and Canton. It is today’s predominant camellia species with more than 2,000 cultivars which bloom in winter and early spring.

Camellias are large evergreen shrubs or small trees with shiny dark green leaves. Depending on species they bloom from November through April. Single, semi-double or double flowers are pink, red, white, burgundy or mixed in color.

The sasanqua species, cousin to japonica, is also an Asian native. There are perhaps a few hundred cultivars which typically bloom in fall and early winter. They have smaller leaves and flowers than japonicas and do better in full sun (morning sun is fine but they need protection from the afternoon sun).

Camellias can withstand full shade but won’t grow very much without some sun. Filtered light is best. Established plants (more than 3 years) can tolerate more sun as their canopy grows and shades their roots.

Plants need well drained slightly acidic soil. They prefer regular water, but abhor wet feet which can cause root rot. Protect them from salt spray.

Non-ornamental Camellia sinensis produces the leaves and buds from which tea is made. The species is grown on the Charleston Tea Plantation just south of Charleston on Wadmalaw Is. where visitors can see tea grown and produced.

Camellias are pruned and fertilized right after flower drop. Plants may be bushy when young but can develop into small trees. Prune lower branches shorter to encourage upright growth. Cut back top growth to make plants fuller.

Camellias are excellent container plants. Use well-draining soil with good organic content and be sure the pot has a large drainage hole. Use a 12-14 in. diameter container for a one gallon plant and a 16-18 in. container for five gallon plant. Site the plant where it is sheltered from winter wind and direct sun.

Common tea scale, a small white or brown pest that feeds on the underside of leaves, is the camellia’s major pest. As with other scale insects sooty mold grows on the honeydew they secrete. Leaves turn yellow and drop off. Treat scale with horticultural oil or systemic insecticide that controls the insects.

Camellias are subject to common fungus problems. Petal blight causes petals to turn brown and flowers fall off. Good sanitation is the treatment. Remove fallen flowers and petals and infected mulch which should be replaced with fresh mulch.

In the case of Camellia leaf gall, leaves become pale, thick and fleshy. They turn white, then brown and fall off. Remove and destroy infected leaves.

Bud drop does not necessarily indicate a problem. Often plants produce more buds than they can support; in which case, some fall off. Bud drop can sometimes be a response to summer drought, overwatering or sudden freezes. Over pruning and too much nitrogen in fall may also cause camellias to lose buds.

Buy camellias from a reputable nursery. Camellias are not actively growing when they bloom. That makes it a great time to buy—you can see the flower size and exact color and then plant in late fall or winter.

See and learn more about camellias enjoy a day trip to Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, Middleton Place and Magnolia Gardens just outside of Charleston and The Charleston Tea Plantation on Wadmalaw Is. Some of the sasanquas have started to bloom. The japonicas will start in January. Call or google/search each venue for visiting hours, tour times, and when to see the best display of blooms.

This story was originally published November 8, 2016 at 2:04 PM with the headline "Camellias – ‘Tis the Season to Celebrate their Blooms | Gardening."