Family: Theaceae

The original camellias came from various parts of China and other parts of Southeast Asia but they have been widely hybridized to produce an enormous number of cultivars. Camellias are among the most loved and popular shrubs of all, the plant from which we get tea, C. sinensis, being no doubt the best known form. Their glossy green foliage and showy flowers are a great asset to the garden, particularly as the various species can bloom from autumn through to spring. The flowers come in white, pink, deep rose or deep red, with many combinations of these colours. These evergreen shrubs range from 1 m (3 ft) to 5 or 6 m (16-20 ft) high, depending on the variety; in their native habitats some grow into trees 8-10 m (26-33 ft) tall. Most flower after two or three years and they reach maturity after 10 to 20 years. They are very long lived and make ideal garden plants. They can be used as hedges, espaliers, lawn specimens or in pots or mixed shrub borders. It is best to select camellias when they are in flower to ensure that the right one is chosen. Specialist camellia nurseries and other large nurseries display flowers during the main flowering season.

Varieties

There are four main camellia types in cultivation: C. sasanqua, C. japonica, C. reticulata and C. x williamsii. Of these, C. japonica is the species most people think of when camellias are mentioned. There is a staggering number of varieties to choose from in colours of white through palest to darkest pink to deep reds and combinations of these colours. They are usually classified by flower type: single, semi-double, formal double, paeony form and anemone form. Some of the darker flowered camellias are tolerant of quite sunny conditions, but the whites and pale pinks should not be planted where they receive early morning sun.

C. japonica works well as a specimen or in a border as a background plant. Some varieties are also suitable for tubs. If different varieties are chosen, it is possible to have flowers from late autumn until spring.

C. reticulata has the largest, most spectacular blooms of all the camellias but the shrubs themselves are more sparse and open in foliage. Many of the more recently developed hybrids are crosses between C. japonica and C. reticulata which gives the shrubs denser leaf cover and longer flowering, coupled with very large, showy flowers. Generally, C. reticulata needs lighter soils, with better drainage and more direct sun, than the other camellias. This species and its varieties make ideal specimens and container plants.

C. sasanqua has fragile flowers which make a wonderful show in the garden from autumn until the middle of winter, depending on the variety. They come in single, semi-double or double, in white, palest pink, rose pink, cerise or scarlet, and are also available in various sizes and forms, from the low, spreading 'Shishigashira' to the tall, vigorous shrubs 'Plantation Pink' and 'Jennifer Susan' which grow to 5 m (16 ft) or more. Sasanquas are excellent hedging plants and some cultivars with pendulous growth can be trained as espaliers. The smaller, more compact types make good container plants. Sasanquas are tolerant of a wider range of conditions than the other types. Most grow in sun or shade, although they do not grow successfully in full sun in hot, dry areas.

C. x williamsii is a very fine group of camellias bred by crossing C. japonica and C. saluensis. The original crosses were made in Cornwall, England by J. C. Williams who gave them their name. Flowers come in the same colour range as the other camellias but most are semi-double in form. Some of the most popular cultivars are 'Donation', 'Elsie Jury, 'E. G. Waterhouse' and 'Water Lily. Bear in mind that there are many hundreds of cultivars of camellias and that not all of those mentioned may be available in all areas.

Cultivation

Camellias need a slightly acid, well-aerated soil, rich in decayed organic matter. Heavy, badly drained soils can cause root rot and frequently death of the plants. They also need protection from cold, drying winds and early morning sun. Most grow well in filtered sun, although some varieties can tolerate full sun. Sasanquas can take more sun than most other camellias and reticulatas need full sun for some part of the day.

Some cultivars of C. japonica, such as The Czar', 'Great Eastern', 'Moshio' and 'Emperor of Russia', like full sun. Regular, deep watering is needed in warmer months to ensure a steady level of moisture in the soil. Well-mulched, established plants need a deep soaking only once a week, but in warm, dry weather younger plants need watering twice a week. A slow-release, general-purpose fertilizer should be applied in early spring. Plants should be mulched well in early spring with rotted cow manure, compost or leaf mould, taking care not to allow the mulch to pack up around the plant stems.

Little pruning is required; cutting blooms for the vase is usually enough to keep camellia plants compact. However, any thin, spindly, unproductive growth can be cut from the center of the shrub at almost any time. Old, overgrown camellias can be rejuvenated by quite heavy pruning as long as cuts are made directly above a leaf or leaf bud. If severe pruning is needed, do it in stages rather than shocking the plant by removing all its foliage at once.

Propagate from semi-ripe cuttings taken in late summer, though they may be slow to root. Make sure that moisture is maintained in the cutting compost and that warm humid conditions are provided for rooting. Some varieties are hard to grow on their own roots and these can be grafted onto understocks of C. sasanqua.

Climate

Zone 8 for most.