You put so much care into your garden, and you deserve beauty that’s worthy of your hard work. Camellias make a perfect addition to any garden—they’re easy to grow, can survive hot summers, and they’ll make your home look like a scene out of a magazine. Still, you want to get the most out of these flowers, so it’s important to understand them as best as possible. That’s why we’ve created this guide! It covers all the basics of camellias: how to grow them and keep them alive no matter where you live, what kind of soil they need, which varieties are worth adding to your yard (and which aren’t), and more. Read on for everything you need to know about camellias!
What is a camellia?
Camellias are flowering shrubs. There are more than 100 species of camellia, and they are native to eastern Asia and Japan. The most popular types of camellias have large, showy flowers and glossy leaves that range from dark green to bright red or purple or even variegated in color!
Camellias are one of the most popular flowering shrubs in North America and Europe. They bloom during wintertime when many other plants are dormant, which makes them a beautiful focal point for gardens with cold climates.
Where do camellias grow?
Camellia plants, which come from the Camellia sinensis species, are native to China, Japan, and Korea. They can be found growing in wild forests and on hillsides in those areas. Camellias also grow well in greenhouses or gardens that mimic their natural habitat.
Camellia plants are grown as houseplants because they thrive with bright light, so you’ll often find them near the windows of sunny rooms. If you live outside of the United States where temperatures don’t get too low during wintertime (around 50 degrees F), a camellia plant will do just fine outdoors; otherwise, it’ll have to stay indoors all year round if it’s not protected by high walls or an overhang.
Why do camellias have such strange names?
You’ve probably noticed that camellia plants have very strange names. The reason for this is the tea trade. Camellias were originally named after the Earl of Camelia, who was a big fan of Chinese tea, so he imported it back to England. When the English first made their way to China and saw these beautiful flowers growing along with their tea bushes, they thought they were just another kind of tea plant. They brought them home and planted them in gardens around Britain as ornamental plants because they didn’t realize how special they really were!
As time went on, more camellias were introduced into Europe and America through trade routes; however, it’s important to note that even though there are hundreds of different species growing in diverse climates all over the world today (and even more hybrids), most of them can still be traced back to one particular species: Camellia sinensis (also known as Camellia sasanqua).
How do you grow camellias?
- Most camellias prefer acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.8, though some can tolerate more alkaline conditions as well.
- Camellias grow in full to partial shade, so you’ll want to plant them under deciduous trees or hedges that provide shade for part of the day during the summer months.
- Water your camellia sparingly (deeply) once or twice a week throughout its growing season from spring through fall — don’t overwater! It’s best not to water your camellia if it’s raining or after heavy dew has settled overnight on the leaves: runoff water may cause root rot, which is fatal for this plant.
- Prune dead flowers regularly in summer so they don’t take up nutrients from new buds and thereby stunt their growth; also remove any brown flower stalks completely by cutting off just below them at ground level — do this with sharp pruning shears rather than pulling them out by hand lest you damage nearby green foliage with broken stems’ jagged edges.* Fertilize lightly once per month during spring/early summer (when new growth appears) using an organic fertilizer like Espoma Camellia & Azalea Food or Soil Mender Organic All Purpose Plant Food (available online). Don’t fertilize again until September/October when new growth begins its cycle again (you’ll know because it will be green rather than reddish-brown).
What does it take to keep camellias healthy and happy?
- Camellias prefer slightly acidic soil with good drainage.
- Camellias need protection from winter winds and cold.
- They also need protection from summer sun and heat, as well as pests like scale insects.
You can enjoy camellias without going crazy trying to grow them
If you don’t have the space or time to grow them yourself, consider buying a potted camellia plant from your local garden center. There’s nothing quite like the beauty of a flowering shrub in bloom, and they’re easy to keep alive as long as you follow these basic care instructions:
- Water them deeply but gently. Camellias should be watered regularly—once every week or two is usually sufficient—but be careful not to overwater them. You can tell when they need water by inspecting their roots; if they look dark and muddy, it’s time for some fresh water. Don’t dump buckets of water on top of your plants; instead, soak around the root system with a watering can or hose attachment that drips slowly so you don’t overwhelm your plant’s root system.
- Feed them with fertilizer once per month during their growing season (March through September). This will help give them plenty of nutrients for ample bloom growth!
Conclusion
Now that you know the answers to all your questions about camellias, it’s time to head out and find one of these beautiful flowers for yourself. With their long blooming period, frost-resistant nature, and stunning appearance, camellias are a great choice for anyone looking to add some color to their garden or home decor. They can also be used as ground cover or hedging—just make sure you plant them in a spot that receives plenty of sunlight and has well-drained soil. Happy gardening!