Growing Camellias

Camellias are beautiful garden evergreens that provide blooms throughout the winter months in southern areas. Camellias have a lot of fragrance and the dark green foliage provides a sustainable background for your landscaping needs.

In southern states where temperatures rarely drop below freezing, camellias keep their blooms all winter. They love to grow in shady areas and thrive in humidity. They can withstand winter weather down to fifteen degrees Fahrenheit without cover. Simply covering them with a sheet or plastic on nights when it may drop below fifteen degrees will keep your winter camellias looking fabulous.

Camellias come in almost every color, and they stay around from about October to March. This has made camellias legendary in the south, adorning famous gardens throughout the southern states. Some varieties are better suited for northern areas, so even if you are not in the south you can enjoy these beautiful fragrant flowers.

Caring for camellias is rather easy. Prune the shrubs after the blooms fall off in the spring. They can grow up to eight feet tall and require very little care unless you want to keep them small. They love humidity and damp soil. Do not over-water or your camellias could develop root rot. Mulch the area around the base of the shrub to keep moisture in the soil. Drying out for a long time can kill a camellia.

Camellias grow best in acidic soil, which is another reason they are well suited to the south. Pine needles, pine mulch and coffee grounds can be worked into the soil to lower the pH of alkaline or neutral soil down to an acidic state. Use acidic sulfur or fertilizer if your soil is resistant to acidity or if the water you use is alkaline. Do not fertilize in the fall when it is time for the camellias to bloom or it may not make blooms.

Camellias have a shallow root system, so avoid planting them near other trees or plants that may compete with the camellia for water. Because of their evergreen quality, they are perfect for landscaping or providing greenery in your yard. They grow great underneath southern pines which acidify the soil and have a deep root system.

Another reason to use camellias in landscaping is how fast they can grow. They grow about a foot a year, so in as little as five years you can have a substantially sized shrub, even if you start with a baby camellia. Remember that you will need at least partial shade for camellias to flourish. Water often and not too much at a time to help your camellias succeed. Keep the garden hose handy on a garden hose reel, which can easily be kept out of site behind your camellia.