Versatile Camellias Grace Many a Landscape : Despite 3,000 Types in Existence, Hybridizers Work Hard to Produce More
Among the cheerful spots of color now highlighting the region’s winter gardens are graceful camellia blossoms. These evergreen shrubs can be grown both in containers and in the ground, providing their specific cultural requirements are met. Since they perform so well in Southern California, they can often be found in many landscapes.
“We use camellias in many of our designs because we like to do layered plantings, and camellias lend themselves to both under planting and over planting,” said Kathryn Rue of the Rue Group, a landscape design firm in Fullerton. “We use sasanquas eight times out of 10 since they’re so much more versatile than the better known japonica camellias.”
Native to eastern and southern Asia, more than 3,000 named kinds of camellias are in existence, and hybridizers are hard at work to produce more. They’re seeking the elusive yellow and blue colors and want to create scented camellias, too.
Currently, the most popular variety is C. japonica , a slow growing, upright plant that can grow to 20 feet or more, but may take 100 years to achieve that height and width. Broad-leaved plants with glossy foliage, they prefer filtered or high shade and do best when grown in a northern exposure. Flower forms can vary from single to the complete double, loose peony, rose or anemone. Colors include white, pink, deep red, and also can be variegated or striped.
There are more than 2,500 named varieties of C. japonica, but only several hundred are readily available commercially.
Because there are varieties that bloom at different times, they are categorized by bloom time: “E” for early bloom, usually October to December; “EM” for early mid-season, December to January; “M” mid-season, February through March; and “L” late, April to May. These blooming periods can vary for warmer or cooler locations.
C. sasanqua blooms earlier than its relatives, and can start as early as September, depending on weather conditions. Its peak bloom is November and December, an excellent time to see it in public gardens and nurseries.
Knowledgeable gardeners prize C. sasanqua for its early bloom, ability to grow in full sun, and spectacular appearance when the shrub is covered with masses of flowers. Although the fragile-looking blossoms only last for a few days, the shrub produces them in such abundance that the plant remains colorful for several months.
The color range is white, different shades of pink, some reds, and white with pink or red edging on the petals. The flowers are usually single, with bright golden yellow stamens.
“Sasanquas have been greatly overlooked by garden hobbyists who fault them because they’re not japonicas,” said Tom Nuccio, a leading hybridizer and camellia expert. “They should be used in landscapes because they’re an outstanding fall-blooming shrub.”
He and his family own and operate Nuccio Nursery in Altadena, which has gathered international fame for hybridizing camellias and azaleas. Nuccio’s offers hundreds of varieties of camellia plants in 1-, 5- and 15-gallon containers. It has the largest selection of any commercial nursery in Southern California.
Because C. sasanqua grows in a sprawling manner, it can be used as ground covers or against walls in espaliered form.
“We like to plant them in front of a bare wall, chimney, or any vertical tight spot,” Rue explained. “They’re very useful for double planting in a bed that’s just a few feet wide, and can be under planted with ferns and begonias for an effective layered look.”
Despite the numerous existing varieties of color and camellia flower forms, hybridizers are diligently trying to capture the yellow pigment that is found in a few camellias and produce more yellow varieties. They’re also trying to breed blue camellias.
“We’re getting teased like mad as new species are being discovered in China and are coming into this country,” Nuccio explained. “Hybridizers in America and Japan are working on this. It’s a very exciting time in the camellia world.”
Some of these wild or species camellias contain yellow pigments. C. chrysantha is one which is being used by many hybridizers in their quest for yellow flowering camellias.
A hybrid, Japonica Dahlohnega is a recent introduction to the market. This compact camellia shrub has flowers that range from pale, buttermint yellow to creamy white.
Another recent introduction is Elegans Champagne, a white flowered camellia with a creamy petaloid center.
Fragrance is also another trait which hybridizers are striving to capture. A few older varieties of C. japonica, like Kramer’s Supreme and Jordan’s Pride, have a slight spicy scent. Fragrant Pink and Scentuous are also fragrant.
“Mother Nature has given us fragrance and yellow materials to work with,” said Nuccio. “There’s an intense effort going on now, but it’s hard to predict when we’ll actually succeed.”
It takes years before a new camellia variety actually makes it to the marketplace. Because these are slow growing shrubs, it takes five years for hybridizers to even evaluate the test seedlings to determine whether they should be marketed, said Nuccio. If the hybridizer likes the seedling, it takes another three to five years to propagate enough of them that they can be sold commercially.
Whether you wait for blue camellias or plant varieties now available, there are some key points to growing them successfully. They’re acid-loving plants that do best when planted in well-drained soil that has been heavily amended with organic materials such as compost. Be sure that the trunk base is just above soil line, and add several inches of mulch to ensure cool roots.
Camellia shrubs need fertilizer, but not when they’re in bud or flower. Wait at least a month after they finish blooming, and then apply an acid-based fertilizer every 45 days until they set their buds. Some camellias will drop some of their buds.
This can be a natural result of the shrub setting more buds than can open, or the result of over watering, but more likely from under watering, especially in the hot summer months.
Although fairly disease-free, camellias are susceptible to camellia petal blight. Flowers rapidly turn an ugly brown throughout the bloom. Caused by a fungus, this disease is best controlled by good sanitation. Remove all infected flowers from the plant and clean up all petals and flowers on the ground.
Camellia Sources
Roger’s Gardens 2301 San Joaquin Road Corona del Mar (714) 640-5800 Stocks 30 varieties of C.japonica and 12 varieties of C. sasanqua, some espaliered.
Village Nurseries Retail locations in Brea, Buena Park, Huntington Beach, Orange (714) 963-4544 in Huntington Beach Grows own camellias; offers 18 varieties of C. japonica and 7 varieties of C. sasanqua.
Nuccio’s Nursery 3555 Chaney Trail Altadena (818) 762-5234 Mail order catalogue available plus on-site purchases.
