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Camellias are one of the best flowering evergreen shrubs. They are easy care, have wonderful glossy green leaves and beautiful flowers of many shapes and sizes. Camellias are not only popular with gardeners, but tea drinkers also. The most famous camellia is the tea plant Camellia sinensis.
The fresh new tips are picked and dried, ready for drinking.
Camellias flower from late winter to spring. The flower shapes vary from single to fully double forms.
There are miniature sized flowers up to large flowers, the size of saucers. Camellias grow from a height of 50cm to 3 metres plus.
There are three types of camellias commonly available.
Japonica camellias are the most widely grown. They are easy care and tolerant of a wide range of conditions. Flowers can be from miniature to large in single, semi-double or double form. Japonicas cannot be overlooked for all round garden performance. Best in semi shade.
Sasanqua camellias are the earliest flowering variety
producing single or semi-double, slightly fragrant flowers. The leaves are small. This variety is sun tolerant and slightly drought tolerant.
Reticulata camellias are the most spectacular variety,
preferred by some gardeners for their unusual shaped
flowers. Reticulatas are more particular about where they are planted requiring shade and protection from hot afternoon sun. They are a large tree requiring space to grow.
Camellias are also great for growing in containers. Keep plants well watered from spring through to autumn and regularly feed using Tui Acid Fertiliser.
The best time to plant is from winter to early spring before the new growth appears. All can be planted at any time of year as long as they are well watered through the summer months.
Plant in a moist, well drained lime free (acid) soil that has had plenty of compost and organic material dug in before planting. In clay soils, plant in raised beds to improve drainage. In their natural habitat these plants grow under the forest canopy where their roots are cool and moist, catching rays of light.
For best results plant in shade to filtered sunlight, however, some varieties will tolerate full sun.
Before planting, water the plant well. Dig plenty of compost, sheep manure pellets and organic material into the planting hole. Add Blood and Bone or a specially blended fertiliser.
Dig the planting hole one and a half times wider than the container the plant is in and a spade depth deep. Remove the plant from its container, run a sharp knife down the root ball in several places to encourage new roots. Place the plant in the hole and firm soil around it. Plant to the depth of the plant’s original container. Water well.
These varieties require plenty of water when new growth appears after flowering has finished. Deep watering is more effective than light sprinklings.
Mulch twice a year to keep the roots cool and moist. Apply a layer of mulch in late winter and again in January. Keep mulch away from the stem.
Camellias, Rhododendrons and Azaleas have a natural
compact growth habit and do not require regular pruning unless being grown as a hedge or topiary.
Take care when feeding as they have shallow surface roots. Apply fertiliser around the drip line once flowering has finished and new growth starts. This helps next years flowers develop.
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There are several types of azaleas. Indica varieties are the best known evergreen azalea, flowering from late winter to early summer. They have large flowers, small leaves and grow from 60cm up to 1.2 metres in height.
Kurume azaleas are evergreen with small leaves and small single or semi-double flowers, which smother the plant in spring. Kurume azaleas tolerate cooler temperatures and require more shade than indica varieties. They grow from 60cm up to 1 metre in height.
Mollis azaleas are deciduous, losing their leaves in winter. Flowers appear before the foliage in spring. Some varieties are fragrant. Mollis azaleas have lovely autumn colour foliage and prefer a cooler climate.
They grow in
full sun to a
height of 1.5
metres.
Rhododendrons
are evergreen,
flowering from late winter
to early summer.
There are large and small flowered varieties. They grow from a height of 50cm
up to 4 metres.
Modern varieties tend to reach only
2 metres. The height they reach can depend upon
climate and soil conditions.
Thrips are small, black sucking insects that cause
speckled silvery leaves. Spray with Confidor or Mavrik.
Mites are minute sucking insecks found on the underside of leaves in a fine webbing causing distortion, speckling and silvering of leaves. Spray
with Mavrik or Mite Killer.
Aphids are small sucking insects that appear on new growth. Control with Mavrik or Confidor.
Scale Insects suck the plant sap and appear as small brown lumps on the stems and foliage. Spray with Mavrik.
Balling is when the flower bud starts to show colour but does not open and turns brown.
This is caused by frost, rain or sunburn. Move the plant to a more sheltered position.
Sunburn appears as yellow or silvery grey patches on the leaves. Move the plant to a more sheltered position, increase watering and mulch around the
shrub.
This ‘How To’ Guide has been produced to provide
basic information and our experienced staff are
available to answer any questions that you may have.
Because this guide is of a general nature, neither
Palmers or its staff are responsible for the application of the information, as the contents may need to be modified for individual projects and site applications.
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