Camellias Flashcards
(9 cards)
Site and soil in general
Site and soil conditions
Camellias are woodland plants that grow best in shelter and light shade, although with careful watering they can be grown in sunny positions.
They prefer free-draining conditions, with plenty of organic matter, such as leaf mould, incorporated into the soil.
Being ericaceous plants, camellias require an acid soil. If your soil isn’t acid then consider growing your camellia in a container.
Watering Camellias
Watering
Tap water, especially in hard water districts, often contains too much calcium for camellias, reducing the acidity around the roots over time. Rain water is ideal for watering camellias. If rain water runs out, tap water is satisfactory for a month or two in summer
Feeding Camellias
Feeding
Feed camellias with acidic fertilisers, such as Chempak Ericaceous, Miracle-gro Ericaceous, sulphate of ammonia or sulphate of potash. Controlled release fertiliser pellets are available from Miracid and Phostrogen to mix into the potting compost of container-grown plants, avoiding the need for further feeding until the following season.
You can use organic-based fertilisers, including seaweed products and fish, blood and bone. It should be noted, however, that fish, blood and bone is mildly alkaline (because of the calcium in the bone) so it would be best not to use where the soil is pH of 7 or above (neutral to alkaline) as this could encourage deficiencies such as chlorosis. To be clear, though, annual applications are unlikely to cause much problem and, where the pH is increased, the soil could be acidified to compensate for applying this useful fertiliser
Pruning and training Camellias
Like other early-flowering shrubs, camellias form flower buds in late summer and autumn, especially on new growth. Pruning at this time could remove potential flowering growth. Therefore pruning is best done in spring, immediately after flowering and following the advice given for other evergreen shrubs.
Where an overgrown camellia needs to be reduced or renovated, hard pruning is usually safe and reliable.
Quick facts Camellia Common and Botanical name Flowering time planting time Aspect Hardiness Difficulty
Common name Camellia Botanical name Camellia Group Shrubs or small trees Flowering time Autumn to late spring Planting time Autumn to late spring Height and spread Various Aspect Light to medium shade Hardiness Slightly tender to hardy Difficulty Easy
Problems with Camellias
Despite being easy to grow, camellias are occasionally subject to problems.
Failure to flower and loss of flower buds are common problems, but can be avoided by providing good growing conditions:
•Water during dry spells in late summer when flower buds are forming
•Mulch with an 8-10cm (3-4in) layer of chipped bark or leaf mould in late winter or early spring to conserve water around the roots
•Move container-grown camellias out from under the eaves of the house in late summer or autumn so that they catch the rainfall
•Do not feed camellias later than the end of July, as excessive or late feeding can lead to bud drop
•Some natural bud drop may occur where too many buds have formed, particularly with double-flowered cultivars. This should not be excessive and is nothing to worry about
•Protect tender cultivars with a double layer of horticultural fleece in winter, as low temperatures can lead to bud drop
Flowers can be damaged by rain and frost, but camellia petal blight may also be involved.
Like many evergreen plants camellias are vulnerable to windy, cold or wet weather, developing wind scorch, oedema or a coating of algae on the leaves.
Nutrient deficiencies may cause yellowing foliage where alkaline soil (usually greater than pH6.5) prevents uptake of certain nutrients.
As with all evergreen shrubs, leaves are replaced every few years; each year a proportion of the foliage (mainly older leaves near the base and within the plant) are shed, usually in spring and summer. This is normal and not a cause for concern
Camellia × williamsii ‘Donation’
‘Donation’ is a strong-growing, large shrub to 5m in height, of upright growth with semi-double, light rose-pink flowers to 12cm in width in late winter and early spring
Camellia sasanqua ‘Narumigata’
‘Narumigata’ has an upright habit and single pink-tinged white flowers, which are fragrant, in autumn and winter
Camellia japonica ‘Desire’
The formal, semi-double flowers of this gorgeous variety are mainly a pale blush pink or white, but each petal has a darker pink edge, which gives them a distinctive bi-coloured effect. They look very pretty when in flower in late winter and early spring and they make a striking focal point in a seasonal planting scheme. Their glossy evergreen foliage also makes them a valuable garden shrub, which will provide structure and interest throughout the
