Camellia Companion Plants - What To Plant With Camellias (2024)

FAQs

Camellia Companion Plants - What To Plant With Camellias? ›

Camellia shrubs need partial shade, ideally with shade in the afternoon because harsh afternoon sun can damage this plant. Plants like azaleas, ferns, hostas, and hellebores go well with camellia because they thrive in the same conditions and complement this flowering shrub.

When selecting partners for camellias, look for plants that share the same need for acidic soils. Shrubs that fit the bill include rhododendron, azalea, pieris, deutzia, hydrangea, and gardenia.

Remember that camellias are slow growing trees and can grow very wide and tall, so you want to plant them at least five feet away from the house, fence or another plant. To plant your camellia, dig a hole that is twice as wide as the plants' pot and just as deep. Then backfill the hole by two to three inches.

While well-established camellias can take some direct sunlight, younger shrubs require partial shade to thrive. It's a good idea to plant them beneath a canopy of taller trees or near a structure that will provide shade from beaming afternoon sunlight. If they receive too much sun, their leaves will scorch and burn.

Use coffee grounds as mulch for acid-loving plants — roses, azaleas, rhododendrons, evergreens, hydrangeas and camellias. They like coffee grounds for the natural acidity and nutrients they add to the soil.

Where to grow camellias. Camellias do best in dappled shade or full shade. An area that gets morning shade is best as direct sun in the morning can dry out the developing flower buds too quickly.

Where should I plant a camellia? Camellias dislike lime and grow best in a neutral or acid soil; (pH 7 or below) that is humus-rich, moist and free-draining. They are happiest in a semi -shaded position with a westerly or sheltered northerly aspect.

When to Plant Camellias. The best time to plant camellias is in fall or early spring.

Sasanqua camellias bloom on the earlier side from late fall to early winter, while japonicas may bloom any time from mid-winter to early spring. Do camellias multiply or spread? Camellias are slow growing, but can eventually spread to as much as 10 feet wide.

Camellia are easy to grow, glossy evergreens. They are ideal for containers. Their showy flowers come in whites, pinks and reds and appear early in the season; a time when not much else is flowering.

Where should you not plant a camellia? ›

Do not plant where shade trees with shallow root systems will compete with camellias for nutrients and water. Plants in the sun may suffer scald on the leaves or leaves may appear yellow rather than deep green. Plants of Camellia sasanqua generally do better in the sun than those of C. japonica.

Camellias are beautiful evergreen broad-leaved shrubs with fibrous shallow root systems that lie close to the surface of the soil, so immediately identifying and excluding any burrowing pest is critical!

In excessive heat and sunlight, transpiration rates exceed water uptake from the soil, causing leaves to experience moisture stress. Leaves develop irregular brown areas along the edges which eventually spread inward along the ribs. Another type of sunburn occurs with new growth in spring during cloudy weather.

Camellias prefer an acid soil so fertilize them with an Azalea, Camellia & Rhododendron fertilizer or a shrub and tree fertilizer that contains sulfur and/or iron. Avoid using fertilizers that contain much more than 10% nitrogen (the first number in fertilizer) and more than 20% phosphorous (the middle number).

Generally, an application sometime during the first part of March, followed by a second application during the first part of May, and a final third application during the first part of July should be sufficient for you camellia fertilization needs.

Try variegated Plectranthus, Ajuga, Bergenia and ground cover ferns. Native violets and Woodland Violets can be good with the later being a little invasive. However, you can now get hybrid clumping varieties like 'The Czar' and Czarina', if you prefer. Many bulbs could also be considered for under planting.

The best time to plant camellias is in fall or early spring. Fall is best in warmer areas, as it gives the plants time to grow deep root systems without the stress of summer heat. In cooler areas, plant in the spring for best results.

Deadhead your camellias when the flowers begin to fade. This keeps the plant looking fresh as spent flowers will turn brown and can look unsightly. However, it doesn't significantly improve the flowering for the next spring, so it's something you can do if you have time.

Planting Camellias to Attract Garden Visitors

The Seattle Times explains that Anna Hummingbirds can become seduced by varieties like the Apple Blossom and the Tanya, and butterflies, like the long-tailed skipper butterfly, are attracted to the glossy leaves of the 'Kanjiro' camellia.

Camellias are considered moderately fast growing shrubs. On average, they may grow between 10-12 inches in a year, provided the conditions are right. However, not all camellias grow equally. Sasanqua varieties are known to grow somewhat faster than the Japanese varieties.