Ruqayyah Snyder
Camellias are one of the most versatile and beautiful flowering plants you can have in your garden. They can be used as a hedge, a feature tree, a potted plant, or to add colour to your garden during the cooler months. There are over 300 species of camellias and many more hybrids, but only three main groups are commonly grown in Australian gardens: Sasanqua, Japonica, and Reticulata. Sasanquas are the fastest-growing and most heat-tolerant, while Japonicas have larger, more decadent flowers but need protection from hot weather. Reticulatas produce the biggest flowers of all and can be grown in part shade or filtered sun. Camellias prefer rich, moist, slightly acidic soil with plenty of organic material and good drainage. They are generally hardy plants with few pest or disease problems, making them a fuss-free choice for gardeners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Species | Sasanqua, Japonica, Reticulata, Sinensis |
| Sasanqua Characteristics | Smaller leaves, small to mid-sized flowers, more heat and sun tolerant, can be grown in full sun, need less water |
| Sasanqua Flowering | Mid-autumn to mid-winter |
| Japonica Characteristics | Larger, more decadent flowers, slower growing, need protection from hot weather |
| Japonica Flowering | Early winter to early spring |
| Reticulata Characteristics | Produces the biggest flowers |
| Reticulata Flowering | Late winter to spring |
| Sinensis Characteristics | Grown for leaf tips rather than flowers, leaves and buds can be used for tea |
| Soil | Rich, moist, slightly acidic, free-draining, containing organic material |
| Sunlight | Prefer part shade, Sasanqua can tolerate full sun |
| Pest and Disease | Resistant |
| Pruning | Can be pruned to accommodate garden needs and desires |
| Colour | Deep pinks and reds, light pink, pale yellow, cream, white |
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What You'll Learn
Planting camellias in a garden or pot
Camellias are incredibly reliable shrubs that produce stunning flowers year after year. They can be grown in the garden, in pots, or as a hedge. There are over 300 different camellia species and many more cultivars, but only three main groups are commonly grown in Australian gardens: Sasanqua, Japonica, and Reticulata. Sasanquas are the most versatile of the camellias as they are the fastest-growing, make great hedges, and are the most heat and sun-tolerant. Japonicas, on the other hand, tend to be slower growers and need protection from hot summer weather. Reticulatas can be grown in part shade or filtered sun, and most are small trees that grow 3 to 5 metres high.
When planting camellias in a garden or pot, there are a few basic things they need to thrive. Firstly, they prefer rich, moist, slightly acidic soil that contains plenty of organic material. The soil must also be free-draining as they will not tolerate waterlogging. Use gypsum in heavy soil to help break up the clay and improve drainage. Sasanquas, in particular, perform well in full sun but need less water and are less stressed with a little shade. When planting in a garden, place large camellia trees about a metre apart, but for low hedges, space them 30-40cm apart. Whether in sun or shade, make sure the root system is covered with a generous layer of organic matter such as leaf mould, well-rotted cow manure, or compost.
If you're growing your camellia in a pot, it will need to be potted up every couple of years as it grows. To plant, soak the camellia in a bucket of water before removing it from the pot. Ease out roots that are starting to encircle the pot. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and to a depth that matches the height of the pot or bag. Ensure the soil around the top of the root ball is level with the ground. Cover with leaf mulch or cow manure to a depth of 2.5cm. Stake for the first 12 months if the camellia is in a windy spot.
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How to prune camellias
Camellias are versatile and beautiful flowering plants that can be grown in gardens, in pots, or as a hedge. They are one of the hardiest winter-flowering plants and usually bloom between April and September in the Southern Hemisphere.
Pruning camellias can help restore vigour to the plant and create a different definition in the landscape. It is important to prune limbs 'flush to the feeder branches without leaving nubs' as leftover branches could provide an entry point for disease. Pruning camellias also help to reduce insect problems and minimise corrective treatments.
When pruning any flowering shrub or plant, ensure that the blade you are using is sharp and clean. It is recommended to prune camellias every few years to stimulate healthy growth and thin out the twiggy branches. The ideal time to prune is during late spring (May or June) to allow sunlight to reach the shrub's interior. However, the exact time of pruning depends on the hardiness zone.
If you are reshaping a very overgrown camellia, you will need to prune it in two stages and sacrifice its flowers for the following season. Start with a drastic prune in late winter or early spring, reducing the plant by a third to half of its former size. As new shoots start to appear, prune again to thin out the bushy new growth from the centre of the plant to encourage fewer but stronger stems.
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The best camellia varieties to grow in Australia
Camellias are one of the most versatile and beautiful flowering plants you can have in your garden. They can be used as a hedge, a feature tree, a potted plant, or to add colour to your garden during the cooler months. Sasanquas and Japonicas are the most common species of camellias. Sasanquas are hardy camellias that are usually the first to flower, starting in autumn. They can be grown in part shade or full sun but do best when protected from the hot afternoon sun. Sasanqua needs a sheltered site to thrive in southern locations, but in more humid northern areas, they will be right at home in a range of sites. Camellia sasanqua is often called the 'tough camellia' as it is more sun-tolerant and can cope with heat and humidity better.
Japonicas prefer growing in shady areas and flower from late autumn to early spring. They will be happier in a cooler, semi-shaded location. Japonicas prefer a western-facing site so the morning sun doesn't scorch any dew or frost on the flower petals. Japonicas can cope with a less sheltered position in southern locations than Sasanquas. Camellia japonica has stunning single or double flowers and attractive glossy dark green foliage. These small trees can grow up to 4 to 5 metres high and 4 metres wide.
Reticulatas are mainly grown for their large, voluptuous flowers that appear from late winter to mid-spring. They are best grown as feature trees in the garden. Reticulatas can be grown in part shade or filtered sun. Most are small trees and grow 3 to 5 metres high. Camellia Tea Plants (Camellia sinensis) are grown mostly for their leaves rather than their flowers. The new leaves and buds can be harvested and used fresh or dried for tea. Tea Plants can be grown into an evergreen hedge or used as a screening plant. They can be grown in part shade or filtered sun and grow 1 to 2 metres high and wide.
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How to prevent 'bud balling'
Bud balling is a common problem with camellias, where the buds turn brown and fall off before they can become flowers. This happens when parts of the bud scales die and the tissue sticks together, preventing the buds from opening properly. The most important factor in preventing bud balling is a consistent and adequate supply of water. Water your camellia regularly during the growing season and in autumn when the buds are forming. Keep the plants well-watered while they are flowering, as drying out will increase bud and flower drop. A soil wetting agent such as Saturaid may be needed to ensure that water soaks into the roots.
Other causes of bud balling include too much or too little sunlight, frost or dew on the buds, poor drainage, and a lack of nutrients such as phosphorous, potassium, manganese, or boron. To prevent bud balling due to a lack of nutrients, fertilise your camellia in spring after flowering and in late summer to autumn as the buds form. Use a fertiliser designed for azaleas and camellias, such as Neutrog Kahoona. You can also water your plants with a seaweed tonic like Maxicrop Organic Seaweed Solution.
In the long term, choose camellia varieties that are less prone to balling, such as single-flowered forms rather than double-flowered varieties. Position the bush so that it receives morning sun after 10 am in winter, with a north-east facing aspect being ideal.
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How to grow camellias from seed
Camellias are mostly grown from cuttings, but it is possible to grow them from seed. It can take years for seed-grown camellias to flower, so it is a test of patience. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to grow camellias from seed:
Firstly, you will need to source your seeds. The most accessible way to do this is to harvest them directly from mature camellia plants in early autumn. You can also purchase seeds from reputable nurseries or online suppliers. Always ensure you are collecting or buying fresh, viable seeds for the best chance of germination.
Once you have your seeds, you can prepare a seed tray or small pot with well-draining soil. A good mix is two parts aged pine bark to one part perlite, mixed with a slow-release fertiliser. You can also use a seed-raising mix, just be sure to keep it damp. It is important that camellia seeds never dry out, so some growers like to soak the seeds overnight before planting.
You can plant the seeds about half an inch deep and allow them to germinate. Seeds planted indoors should be placed in a warm, protected spot. Seeds planted directly outdoors should be covered with a screen to protect them from animals, particularly mice, which are known to enjoy camellia seeds! Seeds usually germinate within a month if planted immediately after harvesting. Once they have germinated, you can prick them out and transplant them into containers outside.
Camellia seeds often sprout roots before leaves, so it takes a long time to see progress above ground. Once there is growth above the soil, you can dig up the seedlings and pinch off the tip of the taproot to encourage the roots to branch out. It can take up to seven years for camellia seedlings to bloom, and they are unlikely to be identical to the parent plant.
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Frequently asked questions
Camellias are winter flowers and tend to begin blooming in April, depending on your climate zone. Their flowering period is any time between April and September in the Southern Hemisphere.
The four main camellia species grown in Australian gardens are Sasanqua (or Camellia sasanqua), Japonica (or Camellia japonica), Reticulata, and Sinensis. Sasanquas are the most common and are usually the first to flower, starting in autumn.
Camellias prefer rich, moist, and slightly acidic soil with good drainage. They also prefer semi-shaded positions but can grow in full sun or shade. Remember to cover their root system with organic matter such as leaf mould, well-rotted cow manure, or compost.
Camellias are mostly grown from cuttings, but it is possible to grow them from seeds. Take the pollen from a plant with characteristics you like and deposit it on the receptive stigma of another plant with desirable attributes. Wait for the seed to set, and you might end up with a plant that combines both sets of characteristics.
Camellias make great cut flowers, but their stems are quite woody. Use a hammer or meat tenderiser to lightly smash the ends of the stems to allow water to penetrate and travel up to the flower. When appropriately prepared, your flowers can remain vibrant for up to a week.
