Camellia

These gorgeous shrubs, which are clothed in lustrous, dark green foliage, are natives of Japan and China. They produce large, elegant, rose-like blossoms that range in color from pale ivory to shell pink to glistening crimson. The flowers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They may be single, semi-double, anemone form, peony form, rose form double and formal double. Their sizes range from miniature (up to 2½" across) to very large (over 5" across). There are thousands of varieties available to the gardener, which have been derived mainly from four species: C. japonica, C. sasanqua, C. reticulata, and C. saluenensis. C. japonica 'Adolphe Audusson' is an excellent variety forming a vigorous-growing, medium-sized shrub. Its bears large, semi-double, blood red blossoms centered with yellow stamens. C. japonica 'Ballet Dancer' is a compact shrub with medium-sized, peony form, cream flowers that are tinged a coral-pink color, which intensifies towards the edges. C. japonica 'Margaret Davis' is a medium-sized shrub with medium-sized, peony form, white flowers that are streaked rose-red and edged with dark vermilion. C. williamsii 'Water Lily' bears medium-sized, formal double, pink blossoms that are tinged with lavender and have darker edges.

Pot Cultivation

Camellias require a humid, temperate climate to thrive. In North America, Camellias are best grown from northern Washington, D.C. down along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts into Texas extending along the Pacific coast of California up through coastal British Columbia. Camellias are fairly hardy and easy to grow, being able to withstand temperatures as low as 0º F, though some thought should be put into deciding the place where your shrubs are to be placed. Camellias need high temperatures and long days in order to develop their flower buds. However, for them to open, cool temperatures and short days are required. Flower buds will most likely be damaged if they become frozen and thaw rapidly, which will most likely happen if they are grown facing east where the morning sun will quickly thaw them. They should be placed in filtered shade. Generally, the warmer the climate, the less direct sun is needed. Camellias need moist, well-drained, crumbly soil that has been enhanced with organic matter and has a pH of about 6.0. Soil that has high alkalinity will eventually kill your Camellias, even if they are constantly treated. The ground your shrubs are planted in should be firmed but not packed down as their delicate, fibrous roots grow shallowly.
It is beneficial to mulch around your plants to keep the ground from freezing too quickly. Camellias that are grown in containers need a loose, slightly acidic potting soil. Soil consisting of two parts fertile loam or good garden soil, one part peat moss, and one part sand is recommended for these plants. A little dried cow manure and bone meal added is also beneficial. In climates where Camellias are not hardy, they can be grown in greenhouses with a minimum temperature of 45� to 55� F. Special precautions need to be taken when watering your plants. Over watering or letting the roots dry out will cause your Camellias to lose their flower buds. Pruning should be done right after flowering before new buds develop. It consists of removing dead twigs and branches that extend above the outline of the plant and thinning the centers of the shrubs to allow air to circulate. Plants that have outgrown their space can be pruned back hard and sprayed several times a day until new growth has formed. You should check for pests frequently. Scale insects are the worst and cause the foliage to yellow and fall. Spider mites are troublesome in hot, dry weather and cause the foliage to turn bronze and speckled, especially along the main vein. Camellia canker and dieback is a fungal disease in hot, humid weather and can kill whole plants. Flower blight causes brown spots on the petals and deformed flowers, though it won't kill the shrub. If the soil doesn't have adequate drainage, the roots may rot.

Propagation

Camellias can be grown from seed, but garden varieties do not come true that way. It is better to take cuttings in late July or August, about 4 inches long, and insert them into pots of coarse sand in which a very small amount of peat has been added. Varieties may also be increased by grafting on plants grown from seeds or cuttings. This should be done about three weeks before growth starts in the spring. The cleft graft is commonly used and the scion is inserted close to the ground. In outdoor grafting, after the scion is inserted and firmly tied in place, it is covered to its tip with sand or clean soil and it is covered with a glass jar (cloche) until growth begins, after which it is removed. A special propagating frame in a greenhouse may also be used for handling grafts. They are kept in it until union has taken place. If seeds are used, they should be sown in pots, flats or beds filled with the same soil mixture that is used for potting. Seeds should be sown soon after they've matured and have been gathered.

C. Leonard Messel	C. cuspidata

VARIETIES

C. japonica & var. Adolphe Audusson, Akashi-gata, Alba Plena, Alba Simplex, Alexander Hunter, Apollo, Apple Blossom, Ballet Dancer, Berenice Boddy, Betty Sheffield Supreme, Blood of China, Bob Hope, Bob's Tinsie, Carter's Sunburst, Chandleri Elegans, Clarise Carlton, C.M. Hovey, Contesssa Lavinia Maggi, C.M.Wilson, Coquettii, Debutante, Devonia, Donckelaeri, Drama Girl, Dr. Tinsley, Elegans, Gloire de Nantes, Grand Prix, Grand Slam, Guilio Nuccio, Haku-rakuten, Hawaii, Jingle Bells, Joy Sander, Jupiter, Konron-kohu, Lady Clare, Lady de Saumarez, Lady Vansittart, Latifolia, Lavinia Maggi, Magnoliiflora, Man Size, Margaret Davis, Mari Bracey, Mars, Mathotiana Alba, Mercury, Miss Charleston, Mrs. D.W. Davis, Nagasaki, Nobilissima, Nuccio's Gem, Nuccio's Jewel, Nuccio's Pearl, Pink Perfection, Preston Rose, Professor Charles S. Sargent, R.L. Wheeler, Rubescens Major, Sawada's Dream, Scentsation, Silver Anniversary, Snowman, Tiffany, Tomorrow, Tricolor, Ville de Nantes, Lasca Beauty, Leonard Messel, Mandalay Queen, Michael. C. reticulata & var. Arch of Triumph, Captain Raws, Curtain Call, Chang Temple, Halls' Pride, Cornelian, Lion Head, Moutancha, Professor Tsai, Shot Silk, Tali Queen. C. Sasanqua & var. (they are somewhat more resistant to low temperatures than the japonicas) Bonanza, Crimson King, Narumi-gata, Sparkling Burgundy, Cleopatra, Yuletide, Hebe, Hinode-gumo, Mino-no-yuki, Pink Snow, Showa-no-skae, Satan's Robe, Spring Festival, Tristram Carlyon, Valentine Day. C. williamsii & var. Anticipation, Bowen Bryant, Brigadoon, China Clay, Debbie, Daintiness, Donation, Elsie Jury, E.T.R. Carlyon, Galaxie, Glenn's Orbit, Golden Spangles, J.C. Williams, Hiraethlyn, Jermyns, Julia Hamiter, Joan Trehane, Jury's Yellow, Mary Christian, Muskoka, Rose Parade, St. Ewe, Water Lily, Winton. Below are some other well-tested varieties: C. Lasca Beauty; C. Leonard Messel; C. Mandalay Queen; C. Michael; C. cuspidata; C. saluenensis; C. oleifera (seeds of this plant provide an oil in the Orient); C. fraterna.