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Gardening

Versatile camellias are beautiful, popular

By JANE WEBER
Published January 8, 2007

Camellia. For me the genus is the fragrant, tender leaves of Camellia sisensis, originally from humid tropical and mild subtropical Asia, that I brew each morning and offer to visitors to my garden.

Dried, cured and fermented by various methods, it produces green, white or black teas rich in antioxidants that are often combined with herbs, seeds and fruit in flavorful tisanes. Tea bars such as the Back Porch Garden in Heritage Village in Crystal River have become popular among health-conscious patrons.

One of the most popular flowering garden shrubs, each of the thousands of camellia cultivars blooms about a month. In recent decades, Chinese researchers have discovered 200 new species. All are glossy-leaved and evergreen.

The most readily available species are large-leaved C. japonica originating in Japan, Korea and China but tinkered with for centuries; C. sasanqua, a small-leafed species from southern Japan; and C. reticulata, native to Yunan, China.

Sasanquas bloom earliest in central Florida with masses of small flowers on densely leaved bushes. Mine-no-yuki, Japanese for white doves, usually flowers in November, as does pink "Cotton Candy."

Both can be espaliered or pruned to stay small for years. "Polar Ice" takes over in December. Untended sasanquas could reach 10 feet tall in about 15 years.

Japonicas, first introduced to Europe in 1745, bloom in winter: either early, mid or late season with flowers from 2-inch miniatures to very large: more than 5 inches.

Flower form can be single, semidouble, anemone-form, peony-form, rose-form, double and formal. Camellia japonica colors range from pure white, cream, pink and pale lilacs to bold red either solid, bicolored, picotee, striped, flecked and tinged patterns.

Many camellia societies host shows and competitions throughout the southern states. Ocala is the nearest club location. Thousands of cultivars have been developed and named. Some of my favorites are "Professor Sargent," with bright red pom-poms around the holiday season and "Pink Sensation" in late January into February.

Reticulata, more upright than bushy, includes some of the largest flowering cultivars. Trees can grow to 40 feet in a few decades if left unpruned but are very slow growing.

Cutting flowers for the vase is usually enough to keep a plant small in the garden. Captain Rawes, East India Co., brought the first reticulata to England in 1820 from southern China. They have sparse, leathery leaves and bloom late winter to early spring here.

Shishigashira, now called a C. hiemalis cultivar, was once considered a sasanqua. It is one of the first cultivated and most cold-hardy camellias forming a shrub with a dense umbrella crown and small, double rose-red flowers. It can be neatly pruned as a miniature plant.

In Florida's northern zones 7 to 10, camellias prefer afternoon shade from our hot summer sun and often become burned if planted in full afternoon sun. Small-leaved varieties can take more sun. Soil needs to be acidic and rich in organic humus.

While good drainage helps prevent phytophtora root rot, camellias like moisture. Many can be kept small by pruning and are suited to pot culture. Rejuvenate old trees gradually over several years. Trim for shape and density after flowering.

While considering which cultivar to plant, come see mine and sip a free cup of tea on my porch. A variety of camellias can be seen at Rainbow Springs State Park north of Dunnellon on U.S. 41.

Rainbow is one of the few parks allowed to continue to display its cultural heritage with exotic flowers. Gardeners soon appreciate the beauty of all camellia species.

Editor's note: This weekly article is provided by Jane Weber, professional gardener, grower, consultant, designer and environmentalist. Visit her Certified Florida Yard and Backyard Wildlife Habitat, 5019 W Stargazer Lane, Dunnellon. Call (352) 465-0649.

[Last modified January 8, 2007, 06:31:29]