Where and How to Grow Camellias

Years ago a map of North American camellia country would have shown a thin, discontinuous crescent stretching from Vancouver, Canada, down the Pacific Coast, then skipping the desert Southwest and hopping over to include the Old South all the way to southern Virginia. That area, comprising zones 8 and above, remains the heartland where camellias thrive as basic landscape shrubs.

Thanks to research on the hardiness of old varieties and the development of new hybrids, however, the crescent has waxed to include zone 7 and even zone 6. At least a dozen traditional japonica varieties are being grown successfully in the milder parts of zone 7, such as Cape Cod, Long Island and the Delmarva Peninsula.

Dr. William Ackerman of the U.S. National Arboretum has developed camellias that are hardy but that also bloom in fall, thus producing flowers before the hardships of winter. Hardy to zone 6, these include 'Winter's Beauty', 'Winter's Interlude', 'Winter's Star' and 'Winter's Waterlily'.

Dr. Clifford Parks has developed new hybrids that also survive subzero temperatures. Of particular note are the April Series - including 'April Rose' - and 'Mason Farm' and 'Spring Promise'. All are hardy to the warmest parts of zone 6. 'Adeyaka' and 'William Lanier Hunt' are hardy to zone 7. Where climate precludes outdoor planting (zone 6a and colder), you can grow camellias of any kind in a container.

Keep the container outdoors in summer and move it indoors to a cool greenhouse or unheated room for winter. Though they will survive in heated living areas for a few days at a time, camellias are not houseplants: They need high humidity, bright winter light and night temperatures below 45o but above 30oF. Allow soil to dry slightly between watering, and avoid both alkaline and softened water.

Soil and Exposure

Growing these forest-dwelling shrubs requires an understanding of their native habitat. In the high-rainfall Asian forests where they grow wild, young camellias develop in the filtered shade of well-drained slopes on a thick carpet of organic litter in neutral to acid soil. Mature camellias 40 or more feet tall form part of the forest canopy. Translating this to our gardens means young camellias want protection from wind and sun, excellent drainage, good mulching, acid soil and consistent moisture. As plants mature, they can tolerate more sun and longer dry periods.

In mild areas, plant camellias anytime during their bloom period from fall through spring in the shade of trees or on north or east exposures. Avoid competing roots and fungus problems by planting camellias several feet away from the trunks of mature trees. Where summers are very hot, take care that your camellia is protected from scorching midday and afternoon sun. In cold areas, plant in the spring as soon as soil can be worked, choosing a spot protected from wind and winter sun.

Like azaleas and rhododendrons, camellias thrive in well-aerated acid soil, so be sure to use plenty of peat moss, ground fir bark, well-rotted manure or home compost when planting. Good drainage is an absolute must. In mild areas, you can help prevent water from standing around camellias by planting them high, leaving the root ball two to three inches above the soil surface, then applying a two- to three-inch layer of mulch. In colder areas, such treatment would expose roots to frost, so plant flush with the ground and be sure to mulch. Young plants in cold areas can be protected the first few winters with a microfoam blanket stretched on a framework of stakes. If good drainage is unobtainable, you will have far better results growing camellias in containers.

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