Fall blooming HARDY CAMELLIAS FOR MONTHS Camellia × vernalis ‘Shibori Egao’. OF SPECTACULAR BLOOM Photo: Melinda Zoehrer Charles Cresson DURING THE COOL SEASONS OF THE YEAR, when most bloom period occur- blooms are small and scarce in the garden, no hardy shrub ring from mid October can match the flower power of camellias, boasting large blos- until Thanksgiving. soms against glossy evergreen foliage. Despite the camellia’s Derived mostly from C . longstanding reputation as a tender southern belle, modern sasanqua and hybrids, hybrids provide a choice of hardy cultivars for autumn and including C . × verna- spring bloom. Individual plants may flower for 2 or 3 months lis, these cultivars have smaller leaves and smaller flowers of and a camellia garden planted with several varieties can eas- thinner substance than their spring blooming brethren. When ily provide luscious blooms for 5 or more months, even in cut, they last only a day or so, particularly in a warm room. But our northern climate. Old plants, allowed to grow large, can out in the garden, their bloom is prolific and extended through achieve the stature of large shrubs or even small trees, produc- a succession of flowers, often exceeding 2 months on a single ing thousands of blooms each year. plant. Colors range from white through shades of pink with Camellias are adapted to flowering in seemingly inhospitable a few red varieties, and single to double flower forms. They seasons when conditions can be cold, wet and even frosty. By are also lightly scented, although the sweetness of the scent is setting many buds that they open in succession over a long tempered with musty, earthy overtones. While individual culti- period of time, they overcome these challenging conditions. vars vary in their bloom periods, those that begin in early fall If individual flowers are damaged by such inclement weather, are most recommended for colder garden conditions, allow- another set of buds are waiting to replace them when condi- ing them time to open most of their buds before the onset of tions moderate. The individual blossoms of some varieties even more severe winter conditions. No camellia can be expected have a surprising degree of frost tolerance. Since camellia flow- to continue blooming through the dead of winter outdoors in ers are heavily endowed with nectar, they are highly prized by our region. honeybees, particularly in autumn. 3. Tender or non-hardy species and hybrids require protec- For convenience, camellias can be divided in to 3 categories: tion from severe frosts and bloom during the winter months. In recent years, scores of new camellia species have been 1. The spring blooming varieties begin as early as March and discovered in the tropical and subtropical forests of southeast- continue until late April or early May. Individual varieties have ern Asia including Vietnam. They are excellent candidates for a an earlier or later period of bloom, but the peak season is April. cool sunroom or windowsill where temperatures range from This is the classic camellia with many cultivars derived from 40–60°F. Many of these varieties will bloom for months with a Camellia japonica and its hybrids. Flowers may exceed 4 succession of sweetly fragrant flowers. They can be summered inches in diameter in colors ranging from pure white through outdoors to maximize bud set for the following winter and shades of pink to dark red. Flower forms vary from single respond well to pruning in order to control size and improve through semi- their shape. double to the very decorative “formal While isolated camellia specimens have been known to double” with petals survive outdoors for years in the mid- Atlantic states, arranged in a neat active breeding programs to develop reliably winter pattern. The heavy hardy cultivars began only 30 years ago after a series substance of these of devastatingly severe winters demonstrated the blooms makes them hardiness of a little known species, the tea-oil ideal for cutting camellia, C. oleifera. and floating in a decorative bowl in which they may last for several days. 2. The autumn varieties flower from mid-October to December or even January, depending upon Camellia oleifera weather patterns, hybrid ‘Survivor’, Camellia japonica ‘April Kiss’ blooms peak in April. tea-oil camellia Photo: Charles Cresson with the heaviest Photo: Kathy Barrowclough 2012 SPRING PLANT SALE CATALOG WEBSITE: http://ag.udel.edu/udbg/events/annualsale.html 5 Spring blooming Camellia newer hardy hybrids in the mid 1980’s. Charles japonica ‘Kumasaka’. is a Pennsylvania Director of the American Photo: Melinda Zoehrer Camellia Society and founded the Swarthmore Horticultural Society. He studied horticulture at the University of Vermont and the University of Hybridizers combined Bath in England. His career has included work in many local public gardens and also the Royal the hardiness of this Horticultural Society in England. He is an instruc- white fall-blooming tor at Longwood Gardens, a nationally-known lecturer, and the author of three books. He is also species from China responsible for Hedgleigh Spring, an early 20th with the floral at- Century flower garden in Swarthmore, which tributes of traditional spans four generations of the Cresson family and is home to a large and diverse plant collection, with particular interest in perennials, rhododendrons varieties to provide a varied selection of new hardy hybrids and azaleas, hydrangeas, winter-blooming plants, hollies, and hardy palms. which are now becoming available. Another event in the 1980’s was the discovery of Camellia japonica growing wild Latin Name Common Name Mature Size Light Soil Pot Size, Plant Size Price on islands off the coast of Korea, the coldest place where this species grows wild. Introductions from these islands have SPRING BLOOMING CAMELLIAS proven to be significantly more cold hardy than any other japonicas previously grown in gardens. Camellia chekiangoleosa 15-25' 8 d 3 g, 1' $25 This Chinese species is closely related to C. japonica with large glossy leaves and even These seductively beautiful camellias might be assumed to be larger single red flowers with an unusual orange hue. These flowers are followed by finicky garden plants, but not so. They are perfectly suited to very large fruit approaching the size of an apple. This species has done well in this region and may prove hardier than believed. Seeds can be pressed to make high- most local garden conditions, requiring well-drained acid soils, quality cooking oil. (Zone 7A) moderate shade, and shelter from drying wind and strong sun Camellia cuspidata 6-10' 8 d 1 g, 2' $25 in winter. They happily tolerate clay soils and their deep roots A fine textured species, bearing many small white flowers among the small leaves in provide remarkable drought tolerance once established. Spring spring. New growth is flushed with red. Old plants may achieve the stature of a small planting is highly recommended to allow them to establish tree. These plants are the hardiest form of this species, originating from a collection in the Huang Shan (Yellow Mountains) in Anhui Province, China, at the northern range deep roots before winter. Provide an acidic mulch of pine of camellias. (Zone 7A) needles or leaves and even a groundcover planting such as Camellia japonica epimedium or hakone grass to protect the roots from deep ‘Adolphe Audusson Variegated’ 8-15' 8 d 3 g, 3' $35 freezing. Do not fertilize camellias during their first year; nor This cultivar dates to the early 1940s, when it was selected as a mutant sport off of should they require it under most conditions thereafter. ‘Adolphe Audusson’, a historic selection from the 1870s. Large, semi-double blooms are deep scarlet red often with a prominent display of golden stamens. Individual Camellias also respond well to pruning to make them more blossoms display random blotches of white on the petals. (Zone 7) compact and bushy. The finer textured fall bloomers can even Camellia japonica ‘April Blush’ 6-10' 8 d 3 g, 3' $35 be sheared into hedges. Just remember to prune only in spring, The “April Series” was bred for hardiness in the north where the most suitable after flowering has ceased, to allow plenty of time for the next conditions for bloom occur in April. ‘April Blush’ bears large single light pink flowers on a neat compact upright plant. (Zone 6B) year’s flower buds to form. Camellia japonica ‘April Kiss’ 6-12' 8 d 3 g, 3' $35 Include camellias in shrub borders for extended seasonal Another member of the hardy “April Series”, ‘April Kiss’ has deep pink formal double interest. Also integrate them into foundation plantings where flowers on a well formed upright rounded plant. While the flowers are only mid-sized, this cultivar was selected for the profusion of flowers making it a very good garden they will receive additional shelter from the house to im- specimen. (Zone 6B) prove their blooming success during harsh weather, but bear Camellia japonica ‘Berenice Boddy’ 12-15' 8 d 3 g, 3' $35 in mind that the tall upright habit of most varieties makes Among the older varieties, ‘Berenice Boddy’ stands out as being one of the hardiest them unsuitable for planting under windows. Camellias also in numerous gardens from Philadelphia and Long Island and has served as a parent make excellent companions for plants with similar bloom in breeding new hardy varieties. It is also one of the more precocious varieties in sheltered locations, eager to open its first flowers as soon as weather permits in March seasons. Consider associating them with mahonia (autumn (or even February) and continues through April. The single flowers are an enticing and spring blooming), sweet box, Corylopsis, daffodils, scillas light pink with prominent yellow stamens.