Camellias are a stunning addition to any garden, with vibrant blooms and lush evergreen foliage that can brighten up even the dreariest winter day. They’re perfect for foundation plantings, borders, or as eye-catching specimen plants. With their slow growth and relatively low maintenance needs, camellias are an easy way to add year-round beauty to your landscape. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to successfully grow and care for camellias, from selecting the right variety to troubleshooting common issues.

Features and Types of Garden Camellias

Camellias come in thousands of cultivated varieties and hybrids, each with its own unique characteristics. However, most garden camellias are fairly similar in terms of their basic features.

Camellia shrubs typically grow 6–15 feet tall, though some varieties can reach up to 20 feet or remain as small as 2 feet. Their width usually ranges from 5–7 feet. These shrubs have a dense, upright habit with a rounded or pyramidal shape, sometimes resembling a small tree.

One of the most appealing aspects of camellias is their glossy, dark green foliage that stays green year-round. This provides structure and interest in the garden through all four seasons. The flowers are equally impressive, with large, rose-like blooms that can reach up to five inches across. Colors range from pure white to various shades of pink and red, with some yellow varieties available as well. Flower forms can be single, semi-double, or double, with some cultivars producing variegated blooms.

Camellias are known for their slow growth rate, typically adding about a foot per year. This makes them perfect low-maintenance and versatile options for busy homeowners. Use them as foundation plantings, borders, hedges, specimen plants, espalier (growing flat against a wall or fence), or, for smaller varieties, as bonsai.


Sasanqua (left) vs. Japonica (right)

Common Camellia Species for Home Gardens

While there are hundreds of camellia species, two are most common in home gardens:

Camellia Japonica

Camellia japonica, often referred to as Japanese camellia, is the species most familiar to home gardeners. These camellias bloom in winter or early spring and feature large leaves and flowers. They’re well-suited for partially shaded areas and are less tolerant of full sun compared to their sasanqua cousins.

Camellia Sasanqua

Camellia sasanqua, or sasanqua camellia, blooms in the fall and has smaller, darker leaves and blossoms. These camellias are generally hardier, more drought-tolerant, and more disease-resistant. Many sasanqua varieties can tolerate full sun, making them more versatile in landscape design.


Camellia sasanqua “Setsugekka”

Camellia Varieties to Consider for Home Gardens

While sasanqua and japonica are the most common, camellias are available in many varieties, each offering unique appeal and charm. Here are some other popular options that you might want to try adding to your garden:

Winter’s Star

A hybrid developed for cold hardiness, Winter’s Star is admired for its profuse, lavender-pink blooms that appear in mid-fall. Its upright habit and vigorous growth make it an excellent choice for cooler climates.

Yuletide

Yuletide is a sasanqua variety that stands out with its bright red single flowers and striking yellow stamens. Blooming from late fall to early winter, this variety makes a vibrant addition to any holiday garden display.

Nuccio’s Gem

Renowned for its perfectly formed white blooms, Nuccio’s Gem is a japonica variety that can elevate the elegance of a shaded garden area. These flowers contrast beautifully against the dark green foliage, making it a showstopper.

Debutante

A lovely japonica variety, Debutante offers soft pink, peony-form blooms. It’s a favorite for its classic beauty and resilience, providing lush blossoms from late winter through early spring.


Variegated blooms are eye-catching and colorful.

Planting and Growing Conditions

To ensure healthy growth and abundant blooms, camellias need the right growing conditions.

Most japonica and sasanqua camellias are hardy to USDA zone 7, with some varieties able to withstand zone 6 conditions. In colder areas, later-blooming varieties may perform better as their flower buds are less likely to be damaged by frost.

Camellias generally prefer semi-shade or dappled shade. However, some sasanqua varieties can tolerate full sun, especially in cooler climates. When planting near trees, avoid shallow-rooted species like birch or maple, as they’ll compete with the camellia’s roots. Instead, consider planting under tall, deep-rooted trees like pines.

These shrubs thrive in well-drained, acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. They’re moderate water users and not particularly drought-tolerant, though established plants are more adaptable. Avoid planting in waterlogged areas, as this can lead to root rot.

When planting camellias, plant slightly high, with the top of the root ball level with the soil surface to ensure proper drainage. Add plenty of organic matter to the planting hole to improve drainage and soil structure. For container growing, use a potting mix designed for camellias, azaleas, or rhododendrons.


    Camellia japonica “Pink Perfection”

    Caring for Camellias

    Here are some key aspects of camellia care to keep your plants looking beautiful and healthy.

    Prune Camellia japonica after the spring bloom and Camellia sasanqua in very early spring, before flower buds form. Generally, camellias only need light shaping. Pinching off the tips of branches can encourage fuller growth.

    Feed camellias lightly with a balanced fertilizer or one designed for acid-loving plants after they finish blooming. Apply fertilizer sparingly in a wide circle around the shrub’s drip line for better absorption. Keep camellias consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply to encourage deeper, more drought-tolerant roots. Water well before a hard freeze to prevent cold damage. Increase watering during bloom time to encourage full blossoms. Some growers practice “debudding” by removing some flower buds to promote larger, showier blooms. Do this by removing buds that are touching each other or by leaving only the buds at the tips of branches.

    Apply several inches of mulch around camellias to maintain consistent moisture levels and soil temperature. Be sure to keep the mulch from touching the trunk to prevent rot.


    Tea scale is a common camellia infestation.

    Problems, Pests, and Diseases

    While camellias are generally hardy plants, they can face some challenges. Scale insects and spider mites are the main pests that affect camellias. Regularly inspect the undersides of leaves for signs of infestation. Treat affected plants with insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, or rubbing alcohol.

    Petal blight is a common fungal disease in camellias. To help prevent it, rake up and remove fallen blooms and petals promptly. If leaves show yellowing veins, it may indicate that the soil pH is too high. Conduct a soil test and adjust as needed.

    Some leaf loss is normal for camellias as they shed older leaves. However, large numbers of dead, yellowed, or blotchy leaves can signal disease or environmental stress. To prevent these issues, make sure you’re giving them proper watering, drainage, and light conditions.


    Camellia japonica “Midnight”

    Growing Camellias in Containers

    If you have limited space or are in colder climates, growing camellias in containers can be an excellent option. Follow these steps for better success:

    1. Choose a pot at least 12 to 16 inches in diameter with good drainage holes.
    2. Use a potting mix specifically formulated for acid-loving plants.
    3. Place the container in a partially shaded area, protected from harsh afternoon sun.
    4. Water consistently, ensuring the soil stays moist but not waterlogged.
    5. Feed with a slow-release fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants in spring.
    6. In colder regions, move containers to a protected area or wrap them during winter.


    Camellia sasanqua “Winter’s Fancy”

    Additional Techniques for Camellia Care

    If you want to move on to more advanced techniques to nurture your camellias, you might give some of these methods a try.

    Companion Planting

    Strategically planting camellias alongside other compatible species can help them grow better and help their beauty really shine. Pair camellias with fellow acid-loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, and Pieris. This simplifies soil maintenance since these plants thrive in similar conditions.

    Grafting and Propagation

    Enthusiastic gardeners might explore grafting as a method to propagate certain camellia traits onto robust rootstocks. This technique, which joins two plants into one, can be particularly useful for replicating preferred traits or enhancing plant resilience. While grafting can be intricate, it offers the reward of cultivating personalized specimens catered to specific garden preferences.

    Advanced Pruning Techniques

    Tapping into advanced pruning techniques can refine the look and health of camellias. Use thinning and heading to manage growth patterns and stimulate robust flowering. Thinning involves the removal of entire branches or stems to reduce congestion while heading entails snipping off parts of a plant to control its size and shape.

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    Danny Lipford

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    Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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