Tip #4: Sasanqua and Japanese Camellias (Camellia species)
Camellias are the undisputed royalty of winter gardens, bringing magnificent rose-like blossoms to your yard when virtually every other flower has disappeared. These evergreen flowering shrubs feature thick, leathery, dark green leaves that maintain a glossy shine throughout the hottest summers and coldest winters. By combining Camellia sasanqua cultivars (which bloom from mid-autumn into early winter) with Camellia japonica varieties (which bloom from mid-winter through spring), you can enjoy continuous, large-scale flowers for over six months straight. Their blossoms range from pure white and pale shell pink to deep crimson red.
Camellias flourish best in USDA Zones 7 through 9, although newer cold-hardy hybrids like the ‘Winter Series’ can withstand Zone 6 winter conditions. Plant your camellias in a sheltered spot protected from harsh winter winds and intense afternoon sun, which can desiccate the heavy evergreen foliage. Soil quality remains vital; camellias demand moist, acidic soil rich in organic matter (pH 5.5 to 6.5), along with excellent drainage to prevent root rot. Maintain a steady three-inch layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk base. You will rarely need to prune camellias, but if you wish to shape them, do so immediately after flowering finishes in spring before next year’s flower buds set.
