CAMELLIA: SOME GENERAL NOTES

by Klaus Peper

Growing camellias is dangerous: you may become addicted. Among all exotic flowering shrubs, camellias are very easy to cultivate if simple rules are followed ( see Cultivation ), make less dirt, are seldomly attacked by deseases and pests, and have an attractive winter flower season ( October through May in the northern hemisphere), if you have an appropiate collection.

Cuttings can flower as early as 6 month after propagation, seedlings can take 5 to 20 years for first bloom.

Flower colour is white to dark red with all shades in between, even striped or mottled, and recently yellow species were found with the hope to include this colour into horticultural cultivars

Flower shapes range from simple to full doubles, with diameters from 2 to 20cm.

Outside flower season, the plants stay very attractive because of its shiny leathery green leaves. You even can use the leaves as vegetable or as tea if infused with hot water, but you better rely on commercial imports.

Camellias can get very old, trees of over 500 years are reported, and even in pots they reach 150 years, so better mention your plants in your last will, they will, with proper care, survive you. However, if camellias are treated as indoor plants ( and oftenly they are sold as such !), they are easily killed within a month.

They prosper well in a conservatory or greenhouse, cold basement or garage (they need little light if cold) or outside if the winter is not too cold (approximately not less than 15 - 20°C).