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Family description Camellia.

Camellia shrubs have a reputation for being troublesome or difficult plants to grow. Every garden ought to have at least one of these plants, even if it has to be grown in a container, where their glossy evergreen foliage can be fully admired. Although slow growing, they can eventually attain a decent size of 3 metres , high and wide. Allow plenty of room for their development, or consider growing them as a hedge if the position is sheltered. The flowering period lasts for 3 or 4 months, so although these plants tend to be expensive, they do give good value for the outlay. Some varieties may start flowering as early as December, but February is more normal. Flower colours are restricted to shades of pink to red, or white, and the size of the blooms will also vary considerably. Always plant Camellia where they cannot see the morning sun before 11am. (Assume the sun does shine sometimes). The reasoning for this is that with any luck, the frost crystals on the buds and blossoms will have gone before the sun shines on them and burns the petals. Frost rarely hurts the plant, but the flowers are easily marred and is a primary reason for disappointment with these plants.

General care.

Camellias require little in the way of maintenance and will happily carry on slowly growing larger each year. If they do get too large, cut back lightly in early summer, preserving a nice shape. During the winter months, mulch the root area with manure or garden compost and apply a generous helping of a slow acting fertilizer such as bone meal. The main disease to watch for is chlorosis, a mineral deficiency that turns the young leaves sickly yellow with green veins. Watering with a solution of sequestered iron in late spring will cure this problem. If large plants adjoin the lawn, make sure to gather up the fallen petals on a regular basis otherwise they can suffocate the grass and encourage moss.

Notes on Toxicity or Culinary usage.

Petals are used in ethnic cooking and the young leaves are made into tea. Oil is extracted from the seed and petals produce dye

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Species description. Camellia japonica.

Camellia japonica is the most commonly available species and is ideal as a flowering evergreen shrub for the garden.

Display characteristics for Camellia japonica.

• Plant type: Dicotyledon. Evergreen
• Habit: Erect
• Type: Tree. Shrub.
• Height: 6.00 mtr.
• Spread: 4.00 mtr.
• Attractive to wildlife: None
• Preferred soil type: Clay. Loam. Silt.
• Soil moisture requirement: Medium
• Soil ph: Undefined
• Suitable position: Open ground. Border. Container.
• Light requirements: Part sun. Shade.
• Summer water requirements: Medium
• Winter water requirements: None
• Minimum temperature: -10 °c
• Safe Minimum temperature: -5 °c
• Safe Maximum temperature: 30 °c
• Maximum temperature: 0 °c
• Wind tolerance: Medium
• Salt tolerance: None
• Drought tolerance: Low
• Waterlogging tolerance: Medium
• Toxicity-Edibility: Ethnic foodstuff. Use with caution.
• Bloom attributes: Flower arrangement. Showy display.
• Foliage attributes: Flower arrangement. Showy display.
• Berry attributes: Edible.
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