There are a lot of different types and varieties of camellias, but the more common types offered for sale generally fall into three categories:
1) Japonicas - These generally have large, glossy leaves. Most bloom in late winter or early spring, and the entire bloom falls off instead of petal by petal. Most of the time, these grow larger than the sasanquas.
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| A japonica bloom from early last spring. |
2) Sasanquas - Usually with smaller leaves, these generally bloom in fall or early winter, and their blooms fall petal by petal.
This is how I remember the differences:
Sasanquas:
Shorter plant
Smaller leaves
See them first (bloom earlier)
Sun tolerant (more than japonicas)
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| Sasanqua blooms from this fall. |
The third common type of camellia is the Sinensis. I personally don't have any of these, but they are intriguing because tea can be made from their leaves.
Camellias can grow as tall as a tree or short and wide, so it's nice to do a little research before purchasing (or go to a good nursery where they will help answer your questions). Some camellias can take quite a bit of sun, others like it very shady. Roses like to be planted deep; camellias like to be planted shallow.
When looking around my garden for a good spot to grow camellias, I consult my "cheat sheet":
Would a hydrangea grow there? If so, then it's probably a good place for a camellia.
And don't forget - camellias can make great potted plants, too (so you really don't have to move to enjoy one)!
Want more information? Check out the American Camellia Society's website. You'll be thrilled to know they are working on more cold tolerant varieties, as well as camellias that bloom year round!
They are really lovely plants. I look at them in catalogs or online, always checking to see if they have one out yet for my zone. So far no luck.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Holley, I love camellias, but San Diego inland where I live is a little too hot for them and there is not enough humidity for camellias to be really comfortable. Still I have two white 'Nuccio's Gem' growing in containers in a shady spot and they do OK. Your red camellia is very pretty. I really love the filled bloom!
ReplyDeleteChristina
I agree with you, and early spring flowering Camellias are fabulous. They do so well particularly in Cornwall which has a milder climate than ours and has a longer growing season :)
ReplyDeleteHolly - thanks to your post I have classified my camellia as japonica. It self-seeds like mad, so I have baby camellias transplanted around my garden. They take a long time to grow though.
ReplyDeleteHi Holly - I agree, if you can't grow Camellias in your garden you should move! I love them, have plenty, but one that blooms all year round> I'd have to get more if they ever bring those to market!
ReplyDeleteOh how beautiful they all are. I am going to have to take a chance and try one for zone 6 and hope it survives here. I just adore the blooms.
ReplyDeleteBoth photos are beautiful, but I love the japonica! Such a deep color, with that froth of petals. In a way I think it would be a pity if they got too cold-tolerant--it's nice to have some flowers still be regional hallmarks. I always associate camellias with the deep south, and they'd lose some of their romance if they could be grown up north, too. But then, we wouldn't be able to grow them here in any case, so maybe that's just sour grapes talking!
ReplyDeleteCher - Keep trying! Maybe one day...
ReplyDeleteChristina - Glad you have found some that love your garden. They are just wonderful plants!
Mark and Gaz - Oh, yes - everything grows well in England!
b-a-g - Oh, wow! You must have really good soil! I have never had one have a baby! But mine are still young yet - I hope maybe in the future I can have free camellias!
Lona - I hope you can find one. Or try one in a pot, and wheel it in when it's going to get too cold. I'm not usually one to baby a plant, but these are probably worth it!
Stacy - I hadn't thought about that, but you're right! Why should the south give up camellias? I can't grow so many things that need cold! haha ;)
Interestingly, there is a Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide' growing in full sun right outside the south-side front entrance to our town's Goodwill store. It's got a little flower on it now but the landscapers prune the death [almost] out of that little thing. What's interesting is that I've tried twice to grow this same plant in my garden with no success. Go figure. Beautiful pics. I love the bees on that white/pink blossom.
ReplyDeleteCamellias fully hardy in zone 6 have been available for quite a while. I have done three posts on this, one quite recently. Many were developed by Dr. Ackerman while he was at the US Arboretum and are called Ackerman hybrid camellias. They include both spring and fall blooming plants.
ReplyDeleteGrace - It's probably something very simple, like you're planting them too deep, or your soil is not acidic, or - well, who knows? But, it's got to be frustrating! I'm afraid to prune my camellias, too, but the plant nursery workers said I could cut them back hard if I wanted (but I'm still too scared)!
ReplyDeletecarolyn - So nice to know zone 6-ers can have these beautiful plants. Maybe zone 5 will be next?!
I'm jealous! Sadly, I'm too far north for Camellias. :( So, I will just have to enjoy them on your blog and on my occasional visits to the south. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely Japonica bloom! It will definately cheer up the winter colour!
ReplyDeletePlantPostings - That is sad. :( I suppose you'll just have to visit the south more often - unless you're thinking of moving! ;)
ReplyDeleteMalar - It really does help get me through winter. It's so nice to have something blooming in the garden.
Jennifer@threedogsinagarden
ReplyDeleteSadly, I need to move or wait for the cold hardy varieties! That red Japonica flower is just beautiful and I see from the other image that bees love the flowers as much as you do.
What a great post! I have lived in the right zone but had bad or no soil. Now, question... Do any keep their leaves in the winter?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I have lived in the right zone but had bad or no soil. Now, question... Do any keep their leaves in the winter?
ReplyDeleteHi there, I certainly learned something today.. I didn't know that there were different kinds of Camellias.
ReplyDeleteMy mother used to have Japonicas ---and I had no idea that they were a kind of Camellia. That is so neat. Thanks for sharing this.
Hugs,
Betsy
I planted Camellia japonicas in our garden, and just loved them. My next garden was too hot, but where we are now would be perfect for them. I really do miss them, especially as they bloom now when the rest of the garden is sleeping. You may have inspired me to add one this winter, but first I need to try a test plant, and see if our dastardly deer will leave it alone!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty. I really wish camellias would grow around here. But it makes yet another reason to escape the cold and grey skies and go visit somewhere warmer in the winter! Hope you have a wonderful holiday!
ReplyDeleteJennifer - Yes, it's very exciting to me (and I suppose to the bees as well) for the bees to have a bloom to love on during the cold months!
ReplyDeleteTufa Girl - Oh, yes - they are evergreens! Which makes them even more valuable, in my opinion.
Betsy - Oh, I'm so glad you learned something! I bet your mother's camellias were beautiful.
Curbstone Valley Farm - I have no idea about the deer. Mine are enclosed in fences, so I don't have problems with them, but I have read that deer do not like them. I hope that is true for you, too.
VW - If I lived very far north, I would want to visit the warm south - and camellias would be a good excuse!
I too am too far N to enjoy the camelia...but I love visiting your blog to see them...
ReplyDeleteDonna - Well, I wish I had more to share with you, but I'll try to have several posts about them this winter.
ReplyDeleteI have a pretty protected zone 6-B garden and they do not sell camellia in our neck of the woods. Other areas around here are zone 5 and that is likely the reason. Pretty plants though.
ReplyDeleteGreat information and photos! Camellias really are beautiful. Not only do they have beautiful blooms, but they also have lovely foliage and form that provides structure to the garden.
ReplyDeleteHi Holley, I'm going to be planting a camellia at the Priory this winter. Have to give it plenty of protection until it gets established (it's quite a frost pocket there). But like Stacy, I associate them with the Deep South. I guess that is because of Mrs Dubose in "To Kill A Mockingbird."
ReplyDeleteDave
GWGT - It would be worth a drive to get one, or order online! They do grow slowly, but that has never bothered me enough to pass up a small specimen.
ReplyDeletedebsgarden - Oh, I agree - I think of them almost as a gardenia that blooms in the winter.
Dave - I hope it does well there. Isn't it funny how books can paint such pictures in our minds?
Good info on camellia's. They are popular here and are beautiful plants and flowers. I should purchase me a couple.
ReplyDeleteOh, Becca - you should! :)
ReplyDeleteI really love my Camellias and agree - if you can't grow them where you are, you need to move :)
ReplyDeleteYours are gorgeous Holly!
There are a lot of camellias around here, and they are so pretty blooming now when so few other things are! They come in so many different pretty colors. Great tip on remembering the different kinds, I can never get them straight!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, and thank you so much for the info.
ReplyDeleteI love the deep red of the japonica. I don't have any camellias in my garden, but I am lucky that my neighbour has planted sasanquas along our fenceline, and I get to enjoy hers!
ReplyDeleteGardeningBlog - haha! I do think that once you get used to growing them, moving to a zone where they could not be grown would be disappointing.
ReplyDeleteIndie - Aren't they wonderful to see right now? They really are like roses with all the different colors and forms.
Dewi - Although I haven't grown them for very long, they are one of my very favorite plants.
Marisa - Oh, how wonderful! You get all the benefits without having to worry about them! I hope they bloom beautifully for you this year.
There was a large camellia with deep pink flowers in the garden when we viewed our present house. My husband thinks that it has a lot to do with us buying the house...not true at all but i do look forward to it flowering every year!
ReplyDeleteJanet - haha Yes, I could imagine a plant could make (or break) a deal for a gardener! I hope you enjoy your camellia for many years to come.
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