What is special about camellia flowers?
Queens of the winter flowers, camellias are bright, bold and beautiful! Blooming from late October to the spring months, they’ll bring colour and life to any garden and bouquet. These flowers can actually grow in areas that are typically too cold for other plants to bloom. So they’re super tough and persistent. Camellias have a reputation for being somewhat difficult to grow, but if you’re willing to meet their needs, they’ll reward you with a long bloom season just when you need it most, between fall and spring. There’s a lot to know about growing this beautiful evergreen flowering shrub.In their native range of south Asia, camellias are woodland plants, so do best in shade. This makes them useful for growing in shady parts of the garden or as part of a woodland border. Camellias are acid-loving plants, which means they need to grow in acidic soil, ideally with a pH of around 6 to 6.Camellias were at the top of my list, as they’re not only evergreen, but they provide much-needed color when little else is happening in the garden. They’re fairly low-maintenance, too. When placed in the right location, they won’t need pruning (hooray! Once established, they’re not overly thirsty (another hooray!Camellias are non-toxic to dogs and can infuse your garden with an elegant charm. Blooming in pink, red, or white, these shrubs can reach up to 20 feet tall, although there are dwarf varieties available.
What is the myth of the camellia flower?
In Mythology the Camellia symbolises love and devotion and the beauty of the flower has been treasured by couples for centuries. The Chinese believe that the petals reflect the spirit and beauty of a woman. Incidentally, camellia flowers are said to be bad luck because the whole head of the flower falls off at once, almost as if it is a traitor that has been beheaded by a sword.
How long do camellia flowers last?
When do camellias bloom? Camellias can bloom in late fall, winter, or early spring depending on the cultivar. Sasanqua camellias bloom on the earlier side from late fall to early winter, while japonicas may bloom any time from mid-winter to early spring.Generally speaking all camellias require reasonable drainage, a slightly acidic soil and fairly high light levels for best flowering. Although they will perform well in full sun, the very best results are obtained when camellias are grown with some protection from the wind and are lightly shaded.Just take care that temperatures stay above freezing. Give your camellia houseplant a nice bright window indoors. A southern exposure window would work very well. Wherever you place your plant, be sure that it receives at least a few hours of direct sun for the best growth and flowering.Buy in Bloom Flowering happens to occur during ideal planting times, from October through November for Camellia sasanqua and February through March for Camellia japonica. This gives gardeners the advantage of seeing plants in bloom before buying.The best time to plant camellias is in fall or early spring. Fall is best in warmer areas, as it gives the plants time to grow deep root systems without the stress of summer heat. In cooler areas, plant in the spring for best results.
Is camellia a winter flower?
Camellia japonica blooms from late December through March (depending on the variety), making them the quintessential winter-blooming addition to the garden. No garden with well-draining soil and a bit of shade should be without these remarkable flowering shrubs. Although they are evergreen plants, camellias still periodically shed their old leaves. Don’t worry about leaves turning yellow and falling in spring or summer if this is confined to old leaves near the base and within the plant.In early July, after the camellias have had the opportunity to put on three to four inches of new growth you can take cuttings. Be care where you take the cuttings from because you do not want to take the cuttings from the top of the plant and stunt its growth.Camellias are not high-maintenance shrubs (quite the contrary). But as busy gardeners, we might succumb to the tendency to forget about their existence in the humdrum of the early gardening season. It’s a typical case of out of sight, out of mind, once the flowers are gone.Camellias look most spectacular in flower when they have the old and damaged blooms removed. Removing old flowers also provides space for nearby flower buds to open. Camellia petal blight, Ciborinia camelliae, is a fungal disease which is specific to camellias and affects the flowers.
Where do camellias grow best?
Camellia care is pretty simple; plant in a shade to part sun area (morning sun, afternoon shade) with rich soil. As the plants mature and the canopy provides shade to roots, they can take more sun. Camellias like ample moisture and well-drained soil. Camellia Planting Tips Camellia plants need to be kept moist, but they do not like sitting in water, so be sure to choose a pot or container that has plenty of drainage holes. Adding a layer of mulch will also help drain the soil of excess moisture.As a general rule most camellia species will prefer a semi-shade position rather than full sun, the exception however are sasanquas which are quite sun hardy. Be aware that hot, dry winds should always be avoided as should the morning sun in areas where frosts occur.Soil: Camellias need slightly acidic soil (pH 5. H and will exhibit signs of stress, including yellowing leaves, if the soil is alkaline. Moisture: Camellias do not tolerate wet feet; it’s essential that you site them in an area with well-drained soil.All camellias need some protection from the hot afternoon sun as young plants. However, plants that receive no sun will struggle to flower. Morning sun and dappled afternoon shade are ideal. As the plants grow older, their own heavy foliage will provide protection from the sun for the roots.The nutrient ratio of coffee grounds is well suited for camellias. In addition, coffee grounds have an acidifying effect on the soil, which benefits the camellias.