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What a delight to see bright flowers open on our evergreen Camellia shrubs during autumn, just as the rest of the garden fades and we prepare for winter. You may have noticed bright Camellias blooming in October through January and wondered about these beautiful rose-like flowers in shades of red, pink and white.
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A relative of the tea plant, autumn blooming Asian Camellias are hardy in Zones 6b-9. Like the spring blooming Camellia japonica, they prefer moist, acidic soil.
When the first Camellias were brought to Europe and North America from Asia, they were cultivated in glass houses, to protect them from winter temperatures, ice and snow. Eventually, gardeners began to experiment with growing them out of doors in the garden, and learned that we can grow Camellias successfully in Zone 7 and warmer, without any special protection. Providing a sheltered spot, mulch, or wrapping them against winter winds allows gardeners to grow them successfully in even colder climates.
Fall blooming Camellias will tolerate full to partial sun, under the dappled shade of larger trees. They can take more sun than the C. japonicas appreciate. Camellias may be used as specimen plants, hedges, in mixed borders, or as large foundation shrubs. Different cultivars will grow to different proportions, and many will grow into small trees when left unpruned.
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Proper pruning is very good for Camellias. By carefully removing branches here and there, you can open them up to greater light and air circulation. This helps encourage blooming and also protects from some fungal diseases that sometimes attack overgrown Camellias. Good air circulation and care will prevent disease problems and insect damage is rare.
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Never shear Camellias like a hedge. Prune within a few weeks after they finish blooming to avoid cutting away the next season’s flower buds. Aim to prune only enough to enhance the shrub’s beauty, or control its size, so the pruning isn’t obvious. It is best to cut a branch all the way back to where it grows out of another branch. Clipping a branch in the middle will stimulate more new growth from the nodes below your cut.
Camellias keep their glossy green leaves year-round, adding structure and screening in the garden throughout the year. Pollinators appreciate this source of nectar when little else is in bloom, and birds find shelter in their branches. Many gardeners cut a few branches for a vase, or float Camellia blossoms in a bowl.
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Newly planted shrubs will need protection from deer for the first few years. Deer may graze both leaves and flower buds, but the shrub will generally survive. Use deer fencing, Milorganite, or repellant sprays to protect Camellias as they establish. Since Milorganite is an organic nitrogen fertilizer, regular use will actually enhance the color and bloom of Camellia shrubs, while helping to keep deer away from them.
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Camellia, “Jingle Bells” December 2016
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Many Camellia varieties are available now at local nurseries. You can choose from several different colors and flower forms, finding a cultivar that will meet your needs for mature shape and size.
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Camellia December 2017
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Varieties like C. ‘Yuletide’ and C. ‘Jingle Bells‘ are especially prized for their red flowers each December. Bees and late butterflies will be thrilled to find them when there is little other nectar available to them. Camellia flowers may turn brown during a cold snap, but buds will continue to open over many weeks, even during wintery weather.
Then, by very early spring, the first of the Camellia japonica varieties will begin to bloom.
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Camellia November 2017
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Plant Camellia shrubs with confidence that you are making a good investment. They will reward you with beautiful flowers, when little else will bloom, for many decades to come.
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Woodland Gnome 2019
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Blossom XLVIII: Verbena
Blossom XLVII: Cornleaf Iris
Blossom XLVI: Snowdrops and Iris
Blossom XLV: First Snowdrops
Blossom XLIV: Brilliant Hibiscus
Blossom XLIII: Verbena
Blossom XLII: Carrots in Bloom
Forest Garden 