ALABAMA A&M AND AUBURN UNIVERSITIES CamelliasThe Culture of ANR-0202 The State Flower of Alabama Origin and History rom the ancient temple gardens of China and Japan, F through the ornate conserva- tories of eighteenth century Europe, to the stately plantations of Amer- ica’s nineteenth century South, the camellia has been a pampered and cherished plant, a living symbol of elegance and aristocracy. Legends of mythology and romance, fancy and fiction have made the camellia seem more rare and expensive, more delicate and difficult to grow than it really is. Gardeners today are rediscovering the camellia as an easy to grow evergreen flowering shrub with many uses, incredible ruggedness, and great beauty. A wider variety of flower forms, new hybrids, seed- lings, and hardy species as well as improved cultural techniques and devices have pushed the outdoor Kate Mallory growing areas of the American camellia belt farther north each The name camellia was given to is Camellia sinensis, the common year. Even in the coldest regions, the genus by the Swedish botanist tea plant. Camellia japonica is the the camellia has become a fixture Linnaeus, who developed the bino- most widely grown ornamental in the home greenhouse. mial system of nomenclature used species of the genus. More than to classify plants. The pronunciation 20,000 varieties or cultivars of various of camellia as either ca-mee-lia species and hybrids generally grown ARCHIVEor ca-mell-ia is acceptable. The by amateur camellia hobbyists in the natural home of the camellia is an English-speaking world have been area encompassing Southeast Asia, described. Flower colors, shapes, China, Japan, and various islands and and bloom sizes show remarkable countries from Viet Nam to Burma. diversity. Seedlings of crosses with More than 200 species of camellias Camellia reticulata and other species have been identified with most of have produced extensive variations these being distributed throughout in flower and leaf sizes and growth southern China. The most economi- habits. Camellia sasan qua is another Ville de Nantes cally important species of the genus widely grown species. www.aces.edu Classification of Cultivars • Class VI, FORMAL DOUBLE, Varieties (Cultivars) Fully imbricated, many rows or Varieties With more cold hardy varieties of petals, never showing Camellias vary in color, size, and becoming available, camellias are stamens (Grace Albritton) form depending on the season, now being grown all over Alabama. location, soil, nutrition of the plant, Blooming periods for the south- In addition to the southern United and the aerial environment. The eastern United States are identified States, camellias are popular in division and classification of the as follows: Australia, China, England, France, flower forms, colors, and sizes of Germany, Japan, New Zealand, camellias have been established by • E. (Early), September to early Southeast Asia, and southern the American Camellia Society in November Europe, as well as Washington, the official nomenclature book as • E.-M. (Early to Midseason), D.C., California, and Oregon. follows: Early November to Mid The camellia selections in Table 1 • Class I, SINGLE, One row December are especially suitable for beginning of not over eight regular, • M. (Midseason), Mid camellia enthusiasts in Alabama. irregular, or loose petals and December to Mid February Nursery workers may not have conspicuous stamens (Yule- them all. Be sure you consult a tide) • L. (Late), Mid February to Mid local camellia grower or county March, varying with the year Extension agent before paying for a • Class II, SEMI-DOUBLE, Two variety unknown to you or a variety Some camellia varieties sport or more rows of regular, that is not listed in one of the three (mutate) freely, producing new irregular, or loose petals and tables in this publication. Start with color forms. This provides even conspicuous stamens (Frank some of these 12 varieties, join a more variability to the species and Houser) local camellia club and the Amer- genus. • Class III, ANEMONE, One ican Camellia Society, and attend a or more rows of large outer camellia show to decide your next petals lying flat or undulating; plants for purchase or grafting. the center a convex mass of intermingled petaloids and Table 1. Varieties for the Beginning Camellia Grower stamens (Elegans) Sparkling Burgundy: A C. sasanqua that blooms profusely early, peony, ruby rose + lavender • Class IV, PEONY, A deep rounded flower of either a Donation: Hybrid of C. saluensis x C. japonica, semi-double, pink, heavy Loose Peony Form consisting bloomer. These two camellias are great for hedges or for a great splash of color, of loose petals, which may but not for the vase. be irregular, and intermingled Adolphe Audusson (& Sports): Blooms midseason, semi-double, red, average stamens, and sometimes growth rate intermingled petals, petaloids, Betty Sheffield (& Sports): Midseason, semi-double, white and pink combina- and stamens in the center tions, average growth rate (Vedrine) or a Full Peony Form consisting of a convex Debutante: Blooms before Christmas, peony form, midseason, light pink mass of mixed irregular Dixie Knight (& Sports): Mid- to late-season, loose peony, irregular petals, red petals, petaloids, and stamens or irregular petals and petal- Elizabeth Boardman: Midseason, semi-double with fluted petals, white with ARCHIVEmedium growth rate oids never showing stamens (Debutante) Fran Mathis: Early to midseason, semi-double, champagne pink • Class V, ROSE FORM Grand Slam: Midseason, semi-double to anemone form, brilliant dark red DOUBLE, Imbricated (layered R. L. Wheeler: Early to midseason, semi-double to anemone, very large, pink like scales) petals, showing stamens in a concave Royal Velvet: Midseason, semi-double, dark velvet red center when fully opened Ville de Nantes: Mid- to late-season, semi-double, red and white, slow growth rate (Mathotiana) 2 Alabama Cooperative Extension System The Culture of Camellias 3 The Environment for only early and late flowering, Water single, semi-double, and peony Growing Camellias Adequate water is necessary for form camellia varieties should be quality and quantity of blooms as Location planted outside in the northern half well as for proper development of Alabama. In the southern half of Some camellias can be grown in of new stems and foliage after the the state, camellias can be grown full sun, although most grow and blooming period. The supplemental without too much concern; however, produce better flowers in partial watering routine of the individual many camellia enthusiasts grow their shade where the blooms and grower depends on the species of prize camellias under protection in foliage are protected from sunburn. camellia, the size and age of the plastic or glass greenhouses. However, camellias in dense shade plant, soil type, air temperature, often become spindly and produce Soil humidity, and rainfall throughout fewer blooms. A site under pine the year in his or her locality. trees is ideal because pines provide Camellias will grow in sandy, filtered light year-round for growth, loamy, or clay soils that vary greatly Soil Aeration winter protec tion, and natural in their water-holding capacity and The top growth of all plants is mulch from the pine needles. in the presence of the essential directly related to the extent and Do not plant camellias where elements of nitrogen, phosphorus, vigor of the root system. Physical hardwood shade trees with shallow and potassium (NPK). All soils characteristics of the soil, such as root systems will compete with the contain these elements and may air and water-holding capacity, camellias for nutrients and water. also contain the trace elements of determine, to a large extent, the Avoid windy, exposed sites since iron, magnesium, copper, calcium, growth and useful activity of wind can be detrimental for camel- and others. Good garden loam plant roots. An ideal soil is actu- lias in winter and summer. containing organic matter (leaf ally composed of 50 percent soil mold, compost, or humus) would particles and 50 percent pore space Cold Hardiness be expected to contain these half filled with water. Varieties and the different flower essential elements as well as the forms vary in their resistance to trace elements to some degree. A healthy root system results in cold. Generally, cold spells with Camellias do well in soils with an vigorous foliage growth in camel- temperatures below 20 degrees acid reaction (pH 5.0 to 6.5) and do lias. Excessive soil water fills the air F reduce the size of the blooms. poorly in alkaline conditions (pH spaces and reduces the oxygen for It usually takes less cold to affect above 7.0). Contact your county respiration by the roots. Too much the blooms and bloom buds than Extension agent for information soil water causes the accumulation it takes to affect the plant itself. about the soil analyses offered of carbon dioxide and other gases, Open blooms can be damaged by by the Auburn University Soil which can be toxic to the roots and temperatures of 26 degrees F, but Testing Lab. The texture of the soil can provide a favorable environ- may be untouched at 28 degrees determines its capacity for water ment for root-rotting fungi. Thus, F, if partially shaded or recently retention and its ability to hold excessive soil water kills plant wet by rain. Some varieties, double nutrients. Clay soils hold moisture roots, leaving the plant unable to flowers in particular, often fail to longer than sandy and loamy soils, absorb adequate water. This results produce typical or perfect blooms but they are less permeable. They in drought symptoms in the leaves, after the temperature has dropped tend to shed water, unless a mulch including wilting and browning of below 20 degrees F. However, of coarser materials (pine needles the margins or tips of the leaves. damage can occur between 20 or pine bark) allows the water to Nutrient uptake is reduced.