Camellias

The most famous camellia is the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. The fresh new tips are picked and dried, ready for drinking.

Camellias at a Glance

• Height: 50cm to 3 metres plus 
• Position: Part shade to full sun 
• Soil: Lime free (acid) well drained 
• Flower: Late autumn to spring 
• Colour: Pink, white, red, yellow 

Selection 

Japonica camellias are the most widely grown. They are easy care and tolerant of a wide range of conditions. Flowers can be miniature to large in single, semi-double or double form. Glossy green foliage. 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. Sasanqua camellias are suited to hedges and espalier. 

Reticulata camellias are the most spectacular variety, preferred for their unusual shaped flowers. Reticulatas prefer shade and protection from the hot afternoon sun. They are a large tree, requiring space to grow. 

Where to Plant 

In their natural habitat camellias grow under the forest canopy where their roots are cool and moist, catching rays of light. Plant in shade to filtered sunlight. Some varieties will tolerate sun. 

Plant in a moist well-drained lime free (acid) soil that has plenty of Compost added. Alkaline soils can be corrected using Yates Soil Acidifier Liquid Sulfur. 

When to Plant 

Camellias are available to plant throughout the year, but some of the best times are late winter to early spring before the new growth appears. Autumn is also an excellent time to plant as root growth can establish before the cooler winter months. 

How to Plant 

Before planting water the plant well. Dig in plenty of compost or well rotted animal manure. Refer to ‘How to Plant’ for more information. 

Feeding 

Take care when fertilising Camellias as they have shallow surface roots. Use Tui Acid fertiliser once flowering has finished and new growth starts. This helps next years flowers develop. Water in well. 

Mulching 

Apply a layer of mulch in late winter and again in January. Keep mulch away from the stem. 

Watering 

Camellias require plenty of water when new growth appears after flowering has finished. Deep watering is more effective than light sprinklings. 

Pruning 

Camellias have a natural compact growth habit and do not require regular pruning unless being grown as a hedge or topiary. 

Pests and Diseases 

Thrips are small black sucking insects that cause speckled silvery leaves. Spray with Kiwi Care Organic Spraying Oil or Yates Success Ultra. 

Mites are minute sucking insects found on the underside of leaves that cause distortion, speckling and silvering of leaves. Spray with Kiwi Care Organic Spraying Oil. 

Aphids are small sucking insects on new growth. Control with Yates Conqueror Oil or Mavrik. 

Scale Insects suck the plants sap and appear as small brown lumps on the stems and foliage. Spray with Grosafe Organic EnSpray 99 Insect Oil or Conqueror Oil. 

Other Uses 

Camellias are great for growing in containers. Refer to our brochure on Container Gardening for more information. 

They are lovely as a cut flower as a single stem or floating in a glass bowl. 

Camellias make excellent topiary specimen trees grown on a single stem.