Camellia Care Secrets for Stunning Winter Blooms

Camellias bring plenty of beauty to shaded areas of the landscape. These evergreen shrubs maintain their glossy, deep green leaves throughout the year and produce impressive single or double flowers during the winter months. With thousands of hybrids available, gardeners can choose from an extensive range of flower colors, including white, bicolored combinations, and rich shades of red. Following a few basic care practices can help camellias remain healthy and produce abundant blooms.

Camellias are available in both large forms that can be trained into small trees and shorter varieties that develop as low-growing shrubs. In Arkansas, two primary camellia species are commonly grown. Sasanqua camellias generally flower from late fall into early winter and have relatively small leaves and flowers. Japonica camellias usually bloom in late winter or early spring and tend to have larger foliage.

There are also numerous hybrids and cultivars available that have been selected for desirable traits, including improved cold tolerance. Because japonicas flower later in the season, their blooms are more likely to be affected by a late frost. Even so, their large flowers with numerous petals often make the potential risk worthwhile. Camellias are versatile landscape plants and can be grown as specimen shrubs, hedges, privacy screens, or container plants.

Caring for Camellias

Camellias are relatively easy to maintain when planted in the right location. Choose a site with shade to partial sun, ideally with morning sunlight followed by afternoon shade, and provide rich, fertile soil. As the plants become established and their growing canopy begins to shade the roots, they can tolerate increasing amounts of sunlight.

These shrubs prefer consistent moisture but also require soil with good drainage. During periods of dry weather, provide supplemental water to support healthy new growth.

Avoid planting camellias too deeply. Position the plant approximately one to two inches above the surrounding soil level, then gently slope the surrounding soil toward the exposed sides of the root ball. Do not bury the root ball beneath additional soil. Instead, spread mulch around the plant and place only a thin layer over the top of the root ball. Give the plant a thorough watering immediately after planting.

Pruning Camellias

Prune camellias when necessary to maintain their desired shape, but use selective cuts rather than repeatedly shearing the entire plant. This approach helps preserve the shrub's natural form. Never remove more than one-third of the plant's total growth at a single time.

If the branches become overly crowded and the dense foliage prevents flowers from opening properly, selectively thin some of the interior growth. Cutting back lower branches can encourage the plant to develop a more upright habit, while trimming excessively long growth near the top can promote a fuller and more balanced appearance.

The best time to prune is after the danger of spring frost has passed and flowering has finished. Camellias begin forming their flower buds in late summer, so pruning at the wrong point in the growing season can remove developing buds and greatly reduce the number of flowers produced the following season.

Fertilizing Camellias

Camellias prefer acidic soil, which is commonly available in central Arkansas. After flowering, applying a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants, such as camellia or azalea fertilizer, can supply essential nutrients while helping maintain an appropriate soil pH.

Camellias perform best when grown in soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. When the soil pH falls outside the preferred range, the plant may have difficulty taking up nutrients from fertilizer, even when adequate nutrients are present in the soil.

Evergreen or azalea fertilizer products containing systemic insecticide can also provide protection against scale insects. In the southeastern United States, camellias are generally fertilized in March, May, and early July.

To apply fertilizer, pull the mulch away from the plant until the soil is exposed out to the drip line. Spread the fertilizer directly over the soil, then water the area thoroughly. Because camellias have specific soil requirements, testing the soil pH is always a useful step. Simple soil-testing kits can be used to check conditions. Regardless of which fertilizer is selected, carefully follow the application directions on the product label.

Watch for These Symptoms on Camellias

Although camellias are popular flowering evergreens, they can be vulnerable to scale insects. Applying dormant horticultural oil and using a systemic insecticide soil drench once a year can help manage this pest. Fertilizers that already contain a systemic insecticide may also provide effective scale control.

Yellowing foliage can sometimes be a sign of insufficient iron. Begin by testing the soil pH, particularly if the reading is above 6.5, and make adjustments when necessary. An iron supplement may also be required to correct an iron deficiency and restore healthy leaf color.