Before make a motion to Florida , I spent most of my life in the Mid - Atlantic . For more than thirty years , the bleak browned grass or glare white snow - cross landscape painting of wintertime was disappointing to me because I love color .
It feel as though the wintertime would never end , and the torpid plant life would never arrive back to life .
If only I had learned earlier that some industrial plant could add much needed verdure and colorful prime through this seemingly dead season .
Single blooms.
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The camellia is one of those flora . Sometimes referred to as the “ rose of winter , ” most sort form buds in the pin and blush between fall and spring , brighten the landscape and providing important sources of forage for the animals and insects that demand it .
A splash of daring red or a flush of cheerful pink flower petal might have been just what I needed to see outside my windowpane to exhort me up when temperatures omit and the snow was falling .
Single blooms.
While they have a reputation for being a bit fussy , camellias can thrive for decades if yield proper aid . Learn more about keeping them happy and healthy inour camellia growing guide .
Once you ’ve mastered the basics of concern , the residuum is easy – that is , after you decide which cultivar to grow . How heavily could that be though , correct ?
Well … potentially hard than you may think . There are more than three hundred coinage and three thousand cultivars to opt from , and in this guide we ’ll focus on 11 popular cultivars , and consider what they ’ll add to your garden .
But before we dive into the roundup , let ’s quickly spill the beans about the various types of blooming that are available to take from first . Here ’s what ’s forwards :
Camellia Bloom Formations
blossom physique refers to the visual aspect of the bloom , such as the number and arrangement of petals , and whether the stamen are visible .
There are six unlike bloom forms in theCamelliagenus , and this is something to regard when pick out a species that you prefer or a certain cultivar , particularly if your motivation for planting is to render pollinator forage informant .
individual manikin blooms have five to eight petal and blatant stamens .
These are the good character for foraging pollinator as they are uncomplicated , making nectar and pollen more approachable .
Semi - double flush have more than eight petals and semi - conspicuous stamens .
Anemone grade blooms have one or more run-in of outer flower petal with a meat clustering of petaloids , or small petal , and semi - conspicuous stamens .
Peony form blossom are fuller , have more than one row of petal with a commixture of petals and petaloids , and may or may not have blazing stamen .
Formal two-fold forms are full , with several rows of petals and petaloids that are typically imbricated , or overlap in a distinct pattern , and have hidden stamens .
Rose double form blossom have several rows of flower petal and petaloids , and hidden stamens that become visible when blossoms in full maturate and open .
in conclusion , we ’re at the good part ! rent ’s see those flowers !
Camellia Varieties for Your Landscape
Because camellias have been cultivated so widely for such a long time , and for so many purpose , there is an grand list of variety show in existence .
While some put on a show in fall and other wintertime , others make gorgeous additions to the garden with blooms that are more likely to appear a snatch later , in wintertime and bounce . Long blooming types may produce flower beginning in downfall and continuing until natural spring .
Although hundreds of species subsist , the two most favour by rest home gardeners areC. sasanquaandC. japonica . These are the two we ’ll focalize on , with some hybrids and series admit in our list of recommended cultivar .
Plants of theC. sasanquaspecies typically start blooming between October and December . They ’re broadly more tolerant of sun exposure and tend to have larger flush . They ’re also more cold tolerant .
C. japonicatypically begin blossom between January and March . These in general favor specter and warm temperatures .
It ’s authoritative to note thatmostvarieties do not have a potent – or even noticeable – fragrancy . Some cultivar have been bred to improve perfume or to produce bloom as large as five inch in diameter . Others are more modest , but offer much - needed colour during winter calendar month .
1. April Dawn
If your motto is “ the showier , the expert , ” thenC. japonica‘April Dawn ’ may be the perfect choice for you .
A cultivar from the April series bred by Dr. Clifford Parks , ‘ April Dawn ’ is a cross of ‘ Berenice Boddy ’ and‘Herme , ’ aka ‘ Jordan ’s Pride . ’
The issue is an evergreen shrub six to eight feet tall , with arresting creamy white peak shot through with tones of pale to deep pink , in a pattern often referred to as “ candy strip . ”
The double form salad days are typically three to four inches wide , appearing in mid to late winter and stay to unfold through natural spring .
This variety has been bred specifically for cold hardiness , and can generally withstand the low temperature in Zones 6b through 9 .
Bear in mind , however , that even though this industrial plant is more tolerant of the coldness , it will still need protection from extreme low temperatures under about 10 ° atomic number 9 .
2. Debutante
gardener with a goal of adding bright color to as much of the wintertime landscape painting as possible will want to turn over plantingC. japonica‘Debutante . ’ This cultivar has one of the longest bloom seasons , from about October through May .
The plant can defy winter temperatures in Zone 7 with shelter and protection , and fares well unprotected in Zones 8 to 10 .
‘ deb ’
‘ deb ’ features full peony form heyday that typically have semi - blatant stamens , in a large , three to four - inch size . The medium to thick pink bloom create a striking contrast to the showy greenish foliation .
Plants have a naturally just bush - similar drug abuse , achieve heights of eight to 12 feet . This variety can also withstand more direct sunlight than some other cultivars .
you may find ‘ Debutante ’ in three - gallon containersavailable from Fast Growing Trees .
3. High Fragrance
While camellias can be gloriously lovely , they tend to lack fragrance , and are sometimes described as being mordacious , which is patently not gratuitous ! In response to these unwashed protest from gardeners , ‘ eminent Fragrance ’ was developed .
This crossbreed is a cross betweenC. japonica‘Mrs . Bertha A. Harms ’ and ‘ Scentuous , ’ bred by James R. Finlay in 1986 .
The fragrance of the full double , peony form flower is reminiscent ofjasmineandrose , and the picket to deep pink flowers have semi - conspicuous stamens , making them a bully forage source .
The four- to six - substructure size of it and open increase habit make ‘ high-pitched Fragrance ’ a beneficial pick for grooming to develop in tree form , andwith some pruning , it can become a specimen planting that not only looks beautiful , but smells fantastic .
This hybrid cultivar blooms from recent winter to early outflow , with four - inch flower incessantly opening between February and April . ‘ High Fragrance ’ is intrepid in Zones 7 to 10 .
‘ High Fragrance ’
you could witness plants in three - gal containersavailable at Perfect Plants Nursery .
4. Jordan’s Pride
Petals with streak of variegate rich and pale pink slicing out to creamy lily-white perimeter , counterpoint beautifully against the deep green foliage ofC. japonica‘Jordan ’s Pride , ’ also lie with as ‘ Herme . ’
This magniloquent shrub has a vigorous emergence wont , and is a consummate candidate to be trained into small tree diagram form , reaching height of six to 12 feet at maturity .
The semi - double blooms make their appearance between January and March .
These develop up to four inches wide , with visible stamen when the blossoms open fully . ‘ Jordan ’s Pride ’ is best suited for growing in Zones 7 to 9 .
5. Kramer’s Supreme
vivacious scarlet carmine heyday are certain to chase away those winter blues . The dazzling full peony sort jewels produced byC. japonica‘Kramer ’s Supreme ’ are swoon - suitable .
glistening dark green foliation contrasts with rich red blossom throughout the wintertime , begin in November and continuing through February or March , offering not only beauty but a source of forage as well .
‘ Kramer ’s Supreme ’
Perfect for a woodland border or specimen planting , this is one variety that will surely earn its situation as an incredible focal full stop . This bush reaches height of six to eight feet or more , with a rounded habit .
‘ Kramer ’s Supreme ’ is well suited for zone 8 to 10 .
you could find ‘ Kramer ’s Supreme ’ in three - gallon containersavailable from Fast Growing Trees .
6. Mine No Yuki
A flower of many names , including‘Mine No Yuki , ’ ‘ White Doves , ’ or ‘ Snow on the Mountain , ’ this pure white , early seasonC. sasanquacultivar will draw attention from fall through winter .
Capable of producing hundreds of prime every time of year , this evergreen plant shrub reaches a ripe summit of six to eight feet , and is perfect as a focal level in a shaded layer with other cold hardy flora .
One of the most popular crepuscule - flower varieties , ‘ Mine No Yuki ’ has dual blossom with semi - blatant stamen , making them accessible for those tardy season bees on a mission before wintertime falls .
‘ Mine No Yuki ’
The blooms create a glorious contrast to the recondite unripe , glossy foliage , which pretend this kind an excellent candidate not only for specimen planting , but a truly incredible hedgerow option as well . It grows best in Zones 7 to 9 .
‘ Mine No Yuki ’ is suitable for grow in large containers when pruned to keep its sizing in handicap .
Plants in two - and - a - half dry quart and # 3 container areavailable from Plants by Mail .
7. Moonshadow
Like a watercolor painting come to life , C. sasanqua‘Moonshadow ’ has creamy snowy double bloom that appear to be manus - painted with fuchsia , fading toward the center to blench pink .
The cardinal petaloids are interlard with semi - blatant yellow stamen , and border in a fainter trace of the fuchsia color . To call these three- to four - inch blooms sensational would be an understatement .
Along with adding gorgeous flowers to the landscape , the dense , glossy , evergreen leaf can crop well as a privacy hedge or foundation planting , providing interest to an unsightly service department or basement wall .
This variety grows well in zone 7 to 9 , and will reach matured tallness of eight to 10 feet . Plant ‘ Moonshadow ’ as part of a bed in fond or dappled sun , or train it to develop as in espalier or tree shape .
‘ Moonshadow ’
you could find plants useable in two - and - a - half - quart and # 3 containersfrom flora by Mail .
8. October Magic White Shi Shi
If you ’re attached to planting a camellia even though you have limited blank , you’re able to choose from quite a passel of the existing variety and grow them in containers successfully with regular pruning , or you’re able to go with October Magic ® White Shi Shi ™ ( C. sasanqua‘Green 02 - 004 ’ ) .
Most camellias top out at between six to 12 pes in meridian , but as a gnome variety , October Magic ® White Shi Shi ™ only grows to about three feet tall . This makes it a stark specimen for smaller planting area or containers .
The white , three - inch - wide twofold salad days relief against a thickset lustrelessness of dense , glossy immature leaf . Best of all , this small , refined shrub wo n’t demand much pruning to maintain its size of it .
October Magic White Shi Shi
October Magic ® White Shi Shi ™ prefer the temperate climate of Zones 7 to 9 , and bloom between October and December , with evergreen leafage . This variety also tolerates full to partial sun .
October Magic ® is a series developed by Bobby Green at Green Nurseries in Fairhope , Alabama , that includes form such as Dawn ™ , Bride ™ , and aspiration ™ .
plant in # 3 container areavailable from Nature Hills Nursery .
9. Pink Perfection
Formal double camellia likeC. japonica ‘ Pink Perfection ’ are wondrous examples of what nature can do . The pale shell pink three - inch flower have been a pet among gardener since the early nineteenth century .
While the stunning imbricate pattern of the petals and their beautiful color are passing attractive , these flowers are not the best option for pollinator as their stamens are almost completely sink . However , they do attract hummingbird .
‘ pinkish Perfection ’
ask these eight- to ten - foot shrub to flower between December and May in Zones 7 to 9 , with deep gullible leaf twelvemonth around .
works areavailable from Perfect Plants Nurseryin three - Imperial gallon container .
10. Shi Shi Gashira
A very pop fall - blooming variety , C. sasanqua‘Shi Shi Gashira ’ extend dark-skinned pink , semi - double blossoms . Partially exposed stamen make it soft for bee to travel to .
This cultivar tends to grow wider rather than taller , reaching a mature summit of only five to six foot , with a semi - dolourous shape and a heavyset growth drug abuse .
‘ Shi Shi Gashira ’
‘ Shi Shi Gashira ’ also exhibits greater sun margin than other varieties , especially as plant get on , and it is worthy for container grow . This variety is hardy in Zones 7 to 9 .
Plants areavailable from Plants by Mailin two - and - a - half quart and # 3 containers .
11. Yuletide
If breaking up the winter landscape with a dramatic combining of red , green , and yellow sounds invoke to you , C. sasanqua‘Yuletide ’ is the gross option .
This evergreen shrub can strain mature heights of eight to 10 metrical unit , and when in full bloom is replete with bright red single efflorescence , their conspicuous yellow stamens beckoning to pollinators .
‘ Christmastime ’ blooms from former gloaming through winter , and the leaf is a deep glistening super C . This diversity is suitable for cultivation in Zones 7 to 10 .
‘ Yuletide ’
This character can work well as a partition or hedge , or as a standalone focal point .
Plants areavailable from Plants by Mailin # 3 and two - and - a - half - quart container .
You May Need a Bigger Yard
After seeing just a few of the many fantastic type of camellias that you could play home , you may of a sudden discover that your garden seems to have shrivel up . Where will you put all of these gorgeous specimen ?
Perhaps the best option is to find some ground distance for a few , thenadd some containersfor others , and develop a few to arise along a trellis – gratefully , they ’re very versatile !
And for even more information ongrowing camellia flowersin your garden , correspond out these guides next :
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About
Kelly Spicer
