The southern United States' equivalent of the peony is the camellia, a blooming shrub that has been cultivated for more than a thousand years. Peonies and camellias have lushly petaled flowers and a propensity to thrive for more than a century in common. They develop slowly, which is why they live so long. Camellias, which include the two most popular decorative species, C. japonica and C. sasanqua, are members of the Theaceae, often known as the tea plant family. Tea-producing blooms are produced by Camellia sinensis, however they are not as beautiful. With the exception of the warmest summer months, they may be planted whenever. Evergreen plants with dark, glossy leaves called camellias. Flowers may have single or double blooms and can be white, pink, red, or streaked. It is often used in backdrops, loose hedges, and shrub borders. Camellia may be trained to grow flat against a fence or wall so that it can be used as an espalier specimen. Camellias are a luxuriant addition to winter wedding floral arrangements and are said to symbolize devotion and longevity in the language of flowers. Although the flower was named after Moravian Jesuit priest Brother Josef Kamel, a botanist, chemist, and missionary who categorized flora in the Philippines, the plant is an indigenous species to the Philippines. Camel Care Camellias grow well in deep, wet soil that is somewhat shaded. Space your camellia bushes at least 5 feet apart if you're planting many of them. They do not want to compete with nearby plants for water and nutrients. If you're planting your camellia next to a window or the foundation of a house, be aware of its mature size and make plans appropriately. When you plant, you don't need to modify the backfill soil; instead, rake some compost or well composted manure into the top few inches of the soil. Check the undersides of the leaves for tea scale, an insect pest that consumes the fluids from the leaves, if your camellia starts to produce yellow leaves. The undersides of the leaves will be white or fuzzy, despite their tops seeming yellow. Tea scale may be treated using horticultural oil. Yellow leaves might also result from an iron shortage. If you need to, test your soil and offer your camellias an iron supplement. Part shade is ideal for light camellias. Compared to japonica varieties, camellia sasanqua cultivars may tolerate greater sun. Camellias need well-drained soil, and the best pH range for their soil is between 6.0 and 6.5. Use containers if your soil is heavy clay that won't drain effectively. Pick a deep, loamy potting soil and a container that is at least 18 inches wide. Water Water camellias to maintain a constant moisture level. Fewer flowers with fewer petals are produced as a consequence of dry spells that happen during bud development. Stressed-out plants are more vulnerable to spider mite infestation. To keep soil wet, reduce weed growth, and control soil temperature, spread a 3-inch layer of mulch over the area. Thermodynamics and Humidity Although the fall-blooming "Winter" series and the spring-blooming "April" series of camellias are hardy in zone 6B, camellias are consistently hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9. By carefully choosing their permanent location in the landscaping, gardeners in cold locations may boost the likelihood that their camellias will survive the winter. A planting that faces north offers a benefit over a warmer southern region. The plant could break dormancy too early in southern areas, which would lead to blossoms being lost to frost damage. Cold climate gardeners will have the most success on a location that faces north and is protected from the wind by a structure, hedge, or fence. Fertilizer Large flower counts need proper fertilizing. In July, use a potassium-rich fertilizer to promote petal growth. To maintain foliage lush and deep-green throughout the spring, use a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer. Additionally, you may purchase fertilizers specifically made for azaleas or camellias. varieties of camellias Hardy in zone 6, "April Dawn" has white flowers with pink streaks. "Elfin Rose" produces pale pink blooms in October and November. "Fragrant Pink" has small pink flower clusters with a sweet fragrance that is especially noticeable on warm winter days. "Francis Eugene Phillips" is highly prized for its ornamental fringed foliage and its ruffled pink flowers. 'Yuletide': A compact, four-foot-tall shrub with crimson blossoms. Pruning Camellias should only undergo little pruning since excessive pruning might alter the shrub's natural form. After flowering, prune camellias to remove dead and non-blooming branches from the shrub's interior. Take away any branches that are sagging to the ground. Camellias being multiplied Camellias may be grown from seeds, although it might take a while for the plants to develop. The stacking method of propagation is more typical. Make an angled nick in a long stem by bending it downward to the ground in the summer. Use a boulder or hard wire to keep the stem in place in the dirt while you loop it into the ground, burying the damaged region. The incision in the buried stem should produce a healthy network of roots over the course of a whole growth season. You may now cut it loose from the parent plant and dig up the offspring to relocate it. Camellia Seed Growing Instructions Rarely, if ever, do camellias grow true from seed. Depending on the kind and region, camellia seeds mature at various dates, but often in the first few weeks of October. When the seeds are ready to be harvested, the pod starts to break slightly. If you have seeds, you may help them germinate by soaking them for 12 hours or by gently cracking the hard shell. Plant in healthy soil, peat moss, or a mixture of sand and peat moss. Keep the ground moist. If seeds are put right after after harvesting, germination typically takes a month. Some seeds may not sprout until the next spring. The sooner seeds are placed when they are ready, the better their chance of germination. Camellia repotting or potting Transplant the seedlings outdoors or into pots after they have germinated. To create a more fibrous root system, remove the taproot. If you are planting in a container, this step is beneficial. The taproot will aid the plant's survival through times of drought or extreme cold if it is planted in a landscape. Overwintering An evergreen plant called a camellia blooms in the chilly winter months in the South. If you reside in a lower region and have camellia in a container, make sure the soil and root systems are protected from freezing solid. Mounding dry leaves and pine straw over the container and soil completely will completely cover it and act as insulation. Keep the pot covered until spring if you reside in a colder region, such as zone 7 or below. Create a fence out of burlap or canvas around the plant if you anticipate an extended period of cold weather or severe cold. Put leaves in the area.