Plant Guides

Camellia Queen of the Southern Garden

hen Harry P. Leu gave his gardens to and newly discovered species. Thousands of camellias the City of Orlando in 1961, it was said are what make Leu Gardens unique and the array of that his Camellia assortment contained shapes, colors and sizes provide outstanding color from more than 1,500 individual plants. December through March. Guests are encouraged to WToday the internationally recognized camellia collection visit during this time to enjoy the beautiful Central continues to expand and include many historic varieties Florida weather and the Leu’s garden.

Camellia sasanqua:

‘Alabama Beauty’ ‘Cotton Candy’ ‘Daydream’ ‘Fuji-no-mine’ ‘Mine-no-yuki’ Deep Pink Pink Pink and White White White

‘Pink Dauphin’ ‘Setsugekka’ ‘Cleopatra’ ‘Maiden’s Blush’ ‘Stephanie Golden’ Pink White Pink Blush Pink Hot Pink Camellias — a Primer here are tens of thousands of registered Camellias at Leu Gardens cultivars of camellias and there are Camellia sasanqua Camellia japonica more than 200 different species. n Small, often simple flowers n Very large flowers TThey are all originally native to eastern and southeastern Asia with most native to China. n Wider, open type of growth n Upright growth habit The majority of Leu Gardens’ collection n Full sun to partial shade n Prefers partial to full shade consists of cultivars of Camellia japonica and n Bloom October through n Bloom late December Camellia sasanqua. Sasanqua camellias bloom December through March earlier than the C. japonica types (often from n Nearly all fragrant n Most varieties not fragrant October through December) and most prefer full sun. Camellia japonica selections bloom from late December into March and prefer a growing location in partial shade. The flowers of the camellia are grouped by the style of flower they display. The “Single” type has one row of petals with showy stamens. The “Double” has two or more rows of petals with showy stamens. The showy “Anemone” type have large, flat outer petals with a flower center of twisted petaloids Single Double Anemone and stamens. The dramatic “Peony,” as the name implies, has a mass of raised petals and petaloids like its northern namesake. The “Formal Double” has many rows of petals (often more than 100) usually with a central cone of tightly furled petals. Finally, the “Rose Double” has petals that overlap, same as the informal double, but open to reveal stamens in a concave arrangement. Peony Formal Double Rose Double

Camellia japonica:

‘Alba Plena’ ‘Betty Sheffield Supreme’ ‘Blood of China’ ‘Cameo Pink’ ‘Carter’s Sunburst’ White White with pink edges Red Pink Pale pink with stripes Early Blooming Midseason Mid to Late season Midseason Early to Late season

‘Fashionata’ ‘Gigantea’ ‘Magnoliiflora’ ‘Mathotiana’ ‘Mrs. D.W. Davis’ Pink Red marbled white Blush pink Crimson Blush pink Midseason Midseason Midseason Mid to Late season Midseason Planting and Care of Camellias Tea Camellia ne of the easiest to grow and often underutilized Of special interest is Camellia plants in the southern landscape, camellias can sinensis, also known as the provide homeowners with many years of beautiful Tea Camellia. The young Oflowers. They can be grown as an informal hedge, as a leaves of this camellia are foundation planting or as a regal individual specimen. harvested throughout the Planting and establishing camellias is the first step in world and used in making growing healthy plants: tea. Many types of tea (green, black, white, and oolong) are all n Dig the hole the same depth as the pot and approximately 1½ times as wide. Do not loosen the soil produced from the same plant. below because it will settle and lower the plant. Each kind of tea is made using n Place plant in hole and position the plant with the top of different processing methods the root ball slightly above ground level. before drying the leaves. n Fill in the space with the removed soil. It is not necessary to amend the soil with compost or other materials. n Make sure the new plant is watered in thoroughly; locations. Camellia sasanqua cultivars can tolerate removing any possible air pockets. full sun but avoid the blistering afternoon sun on n Mulch the entire area with pine straw, leaf litter, pine these too. bark or any other environmentally sensitive mulch. Fertilize 4-5 times per year with a type of fertilizer Leave at least an inch of space between the trunk and specifically created for camellias and azaleas. Use one the mulch to discourage pests and diseases. cup per plant, per application, for small shrubs and n New camellias will need periodic watering throughout increase the amount for larger camellias. Spread equally the first year. In periods of drought, water at least twice around the shrub on top of the soil but avoid placing a week. After the first year, keep an eye on the plant fertilizer close to the trunk. Water well after application. for signs of drought stress, such as downward Using a fertilizer created for camellias and azaleas curled leaves. will usually create the correct soil acidity (6.0 – 6.5). However, if soil tests show the pH is too low, lime can Camellia japonica cultivars need partial shade, be added to the soil to raise the pH. If the pH is too high, particularly in the afternoon. Avoid full sun sulphur can be added to lower the pH.

‘Daikagura’ ‘Debutante’ ‘Dixie Pink’ ‘Elegans’ ‘Lady Clare’ Bright pink with white Light pink Bright Pink Pink Deep pink Early Blooming Early to Midseason Midseason Early to Midseason Early to Midseason

‘Pink Perfection’ ‘Professor Sargent’ ‘R.L. Wheeler’ ‘Sea Foam’ ‘White Empress’ Pink Crimson Rose Pink White White Early to Late season Early to Midseason Mid to Late season Late season Early to Midseason Camellia hybrids:

Camellia xhiemalis Camellia xhiemalis Camellia xhiemalis Camellia xhiemalis Camellia xhiemalis ‘Bonanza’ ‘Kanjiro’ ‘Shishigashira’ ‘Pink Snow’ ‘Sparkling Beauty’

Camellia xwilliamsii Camellia xwilliamsii Camellia xwilliamsii Camellia xwilliamsii Camellia xvernalis ‘Apple Blossom’ ‘Blue Danube’ ‘Lavender Prince II’ ‘Taylor’s Perfection’ ‘Yuletide’

Pests & Disease Control amellias are usually trouble free if given proper healthy by fertilizing, watering and making sure they are amounts of water, adequate fertilizer and the planted in the right location. In Central Florida, the most correct amount of sun (depending on the type serious problem with camellias is dieback. This fungus Cof camellia). If pests do occur, it is often attacks the plant through wounds on the bark, causing because the plants are getting too little branch tips and branches to die. The best prevention is to or too much of what they need to grow. keep plants as healthy as possible. Remove diseased twigs Simple adjustments can usually correct by pruning several inches below the cankered the problem. Occasionally, despite best areas and remove diseased material. Clean efforts, pest infestations of tea scale, mites, and tools with Lysol® spray before going scale do happen. These pests can be controlled with on to prune the next camellia environmentally sensitive soaps and dormant oil sprays. — dieback can be transmitted by The secret to disease free camellias is to keep them contaminated pruners.

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