Camellia - The Ultimate Growing Guide from Proven Winners^®

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Camellia is a popular evergreen shrub in milder climates, grown for the oval glossy green foliage and showy single, semi-double or double flowers that provide seasonal color in the landscape. This elegant bush can tolerate full sun or shade, making it versatile in foundation plantings, woodland gardens and shrub borders. There are hundreds of cultivars in a range of sizes, forms and flower colors, including white, yellow, pink, red and purple. 

There are two primary types of camellias available to home gardeners. The most commonly grown are Camellia japonicas, which offer a welcome burst of color from late winter into early spring. Lesser grown is Camellia sasanqua, which blooms from fall to early winter. These cool-season flowering plants provide color at a time of year when most other shrubs are out of bloom.

CAMELLIA CARE & PLANTING 

How to plant: Camellia bush is best planted during cooler months of spring or fall to avoid heat stress. In USDA zones 6-7, plant in spring to allow a full growing season for roots to establish. Choose a site with morning sun and afternoon shade, partial shade, or dappled sunlight throughout the day. Too much shade will result in fewer flowers. Follow these steps and place plants 3 to 8 feet apart, depending on the full mature size and how plants are used. 

1. Dig a hole 2 to 3 times wider and no deeper than the root ball.
2. Remove the plant from its nursery pot and tease out the roots if potbound.
3. Set the plant in the hole with the top of the root ball 1 to 3 inches above the surrounding soil to allow for settling.
4. Backfill the hole with soil. Avoid placing soil on top of the root ball to prevent suffocation. Tamp down soil gently to remove air pockets and water well.
5. Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark, bark chips or pine straw around the base of the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Avoid placing mulch against the trunk. 

^{Jenny Simpson of Gardening with Creekside shares her expert tips on how to plant camellia bushes.}

Soil: Camellias can tolerate different types of soil, but perform best in rich, well-drained soil. Poor drainage can lead to root rot. Acidic soil is preferred. For containers, use a high-quality all-purpose potting mix.  

Watering: When growing camellias, keep plants watered regularly so that the soil is evenly moist but not soggy. Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot. Provide supplemental water in areas with dry summers, as this is when camellia flower buds form. Water around the base of plants to help prevent fungal diseases that can develop on leaves or flowers. 

Pruning: Camellia plants look best when allowed to retain their natural shape and size. When pruning, wait until plants have finished flowering. For fall-blooming types, wait to prune plants until late winter or early spring to avoid cold stress. Pruning at the wrong time of year can result in a loss of flower buds for the following season. Remove any dead, broken or diseased branches and lightly shape plants as needed. Pick up spent blooms that drop to the ground to help minimize petal blight. 

Fertilizing: Camellias perform best with regular fertilizing. Use a special camellia fertilizer or other granular slow-release fertilizer for shrubs. Apply in early spring, late spring and mid summer according to package instructions. Avoid feeding plants too late in the growing season so that new growth isn’t damaged by frost.

TRY THESE PROVEN WINNERS^® VARIETIES 

Proven Winners Just Chill varieties are a hybrid cross between Camellia japonica and C. sasanqua. These fall- and winter-blooming varieties were selected for improved cold hardiness, surviving to USDA zone 6b with winter protection. Plant some of these Proven Winners varieties in your yard for stunning late season color:

	Just Chill Red Tip™ is named for the showy new growth that contrasts with the mature green leaves. New leaves and stems are deep burgundy red with a lime-green midrib. The soft pink flowers with ruffled petals and bright yellow centers resemble anemones. Zones: 6-9 Height: 5’ - 8’ Spread: 5’ - 6’ Bloom time: Mid-fall into winter
	Just Chill® Double Pink produces an abundance of large double peony-like blooms on densely branched plants. New growth is burgundy red, with glossy dark-green foliage providing year-round interest in the landscape. Zones: 6-9 Height: 5’ - 8’ Spread: 3’ - 4’ Bloom time:  Mid-fall into winter
	Just Chill™ Double Mauve produces bright mauve-pink blooms that bring a pop of much-needed color at a time of year when few other shrubs are in bloom. Semi-double cup-shaped flowers complement the glossy dark-green foliage that provides color and texture all year. Zones: 6-9 Height: 5’ - 8’ Spread: 3’ - 5’ Bloom time: Mid-fall into winter
	Just Chill® Double White has pure-white double flowers that lend classic elegance, providing bright color during the low-light months of late fall and early winter. The clean white flowers pair well with most other colors in the late-season landscape. Zones: 6-9 Height: 5’ - 8’ Spread: 3’ - 5’ Bloom time: Mid-fall into winter

CAMELLIA FAQs 

When do camellias bloom?

There are two main types of camellias. Camellia japonica blooms from late winter into early spring, while Camellia sasanqua blooms from mid-fall to early winter. 

When to prune camellias?

Wait until plants have finished flowering. For spring bloomers, prune in mid-spring, while fall camellias can be pruned in late winter or early spring after severe cold is past.

Where do camellias grow best?

Camellia plants perform best in climates with mild winters, temperate summers, and regular precipitation. They are especially suited to southern regions of the US. Protect from direct afternoon sun in hotter climates. Provide at least 4 hours of full sunlight for best flowering. 

Do camellias come back every year?

Camellia is a long-lived perennial shrub that lives year-round in milder climates. The average lifespan is 50 to 100 years.

How big does a camellia grow?

The largest camellia varieties can reach 20 feet tall and wide at maturity. Most varieties stay smaller.

Do camellias do well in pots?

Smaller camellia specimens can be grown in pots. Provide a container large enough to accommodate the roots, and use a potting mix rather than garden soil. Plants in pots need more frequent watering than those in the ground. Make sure there are adequate drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. 

Are camellias difficult to grow?

When placed in the right spot and given optimal growing conditions, camellia shrubs are relatively easy to grow. Provide a site with suitable light and soil conditions, and you'll be rewarded with many years of beautiful color.

HOW TO USE CAMELLIA IN YOUR LANDSCAPE 

Camellias tolerate different light and soil conditions, making them versatile in the landscape. Here are some ideas on how to use these beautiful shrubs in your home landscape.  

• Plant them in a border with other shrubs that bloom at different times for continuous color through the growing season. 
• Use camellia shrubs as a lush green backdrop to other plants or structures. 
• Train one as an espalier to grow along a trellis, arbor or fence. 
• Camellia shrubs can be limbed up to form small trees that can serve as attractive focal points. 
• Plant alongside a home to soften the facade. 
• Use a row of camellias to divide garden areas. 
• Plant a grouping of these shrubs that bloom at different times for a display of color from fall into early spring. 
• Include camellia in a foundation planting alongside other shrubs with multi-season interest for year-round color. 
• Plant along a fence for depth and lush living color. 
• Place a smaller camellia specimen in a decorative pot and display by a front porch or entryway for a welcoming first impression. 
• Include them in a winter garden for evergreen color, structure and flower color. 
• Plant a camellia hedge along a property line to provide year-round privacy.

COMPANION PLANTS

Combine camellia alongside other plants with similar cultural needs of sun to partial shade, well-drained soil and moderate moisture. 

Plant a shrub border with camellia and other flowering shrubs that bloom at different times for continuous color throughout the growing season, such as: 

• Double Play Big Bang^® spirea
• Illuminati Sparks^™ mock orange
• Puffer Fish^® panicle hydrangea
• Sunshine Blue^® II bluebeard

For late-season color, include fall-blooming camellias alongside: 

• Hot Chana^® Japanese maple
• Perfecto Mundo^® reblooming azalea
• ‘String Theory’ blue star
• Rock ’N Round^™ ‘Pure Joy’ stonecrop

Find more fall-blooming flowers.  

To beat the winter blues, include camellia in a winter garden alongside: 

• Arctic Fire^® Red red-osier dogwood
• Berry Poppins^® winterberry
• North Pole^® arborvitae
• Wedding Party^® Confetti Cake hellebore

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