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Plants

Camellia

Posted by: Adam Pasco, 12 February 2008, 12.38PM

Camellia flower They've been developing bit by bit for weeks, teasing me with glimpses of their pink petticoats. Finally last week, my first camellia of the year opened fully to show off its golden anthers, set off to perfection against the delicate frill of pink petals. I think it's called 'St Ewe', but I wouldn't put money on it. Yes, so delicate for winter, but the warm weather had coaxed it out of hibernation to cheer me up.

It's a reminder that spring is just around the corner, but don't assume things can't get worse before they get better! Last year in February we had snow in the Midlands where I live! Friends in London have been boasting camellias in full flower for weeks, and I'm sure they look wonderful in warmer parts of Cornwall and the southern counties too. It's an example of how temperature influences so many plants in our gardens, often putting our traditional gardening seasons slightly out of sync when we get an unexpected warm spell.

Of course, when it comes to camellias, all varieties are not the same. Some naturally flower earlier and others later, so by choosing varieties carefully you can ensure a long season of colour from February through to April. By doing this you can enjoy some of them without experiencing the damaging affects of frost.

That's been my problem. No sooner had my first camellia fully opened than we've experienced three successive nights of hard frost that have sadly browned both anthers and petals on these delicate blooms. Thankfully a lovely double-flowered variety is just developing, so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for a milder week ahead to enjoy these new flowers in pristine form.

Adding a few winter flowering plants really pays dividends, providing another reason to get outside to breathe in some of the freshest air of the year. And my camellias aren't alone. An azalea is developing earlier than I've ever seen it before, daffodils will soon be opening...yes, sping is in the air!

Comments

  • Starlight

    14 February 2008, 01.07AM

    My two Camelia's are just coming into flower too, reminding me of spring and just how beautiful they are too, am too hoping for a milder spell of weather so that I can enjoy their blooms for as long as possible.

  • jan

    14 February 2008, 08.27PM

    There are feeders on the market specifically designed for these fat balls. I have had 2 for several years - 1 takes 2 of the large size fatballs and the other holds 4 of the small ones. I always remove the nets before placing in these holders and they have been a huge success and I have seen a greater spotted woodpecker on them as well as bluetits,great tits, sparrows and starlings

  • Sandycot

    15 February 2008, 08.24AM

    Talking about camellias and other plants being out of sync in our changing climate. We experienced a reversal this year. Bow Bells a lovely late December/January started to bloom at the same time as Debbie late January February or even March camelia and Donation which usually follows them all is blooming in tandem with Debbie. I agree such a lovely burst of colour in early spring's sometime grey days. I have a white camellia which blooms much later. I don't know its name but it has white pointed petals. It is in a large stone tub and now that I have moved it into the shade its lovely blooms stay pristine white and do not yellow off. My Kaffir lilies and still blooming too. The tall Mahonia (Charity) has finished earlier and is already forming its gree grape-like berries which when ripe in June or July make the blackbirds so daring that they will swoop down when you are snoozing in the garden to steal them and fight off the starlings who love them too.

  • amberst

    15 February 2008, 08.49AM

    hi there my camellias buds seem to be dropping off onto the ground and this happened last year too. any suggestions why? it doesn't look frost damaged or unhealthy.

  • Janey McDonald ilkley

    15 February 2008, 10.36AM

    I have had a camellia japonica for 4 years in a huge pot, it only flowered the 1st year, i feed it ericaceous food through the summer and top dress with ericaceous compost every year, i feel so sad every spring when the flowers dont show! Help.

  • Ali, Haversham

    15 February 2008, 12.32PM

    My Hubby bought me a lovely Camellia Japonica for valentines. I'm scared to plant it as the last one I planted turned brown and died even though I dug a big whole and put ericaceous compost in. Should I keep this one in a tub. It's called silver anniversary. Help.

  • Paul Narramore

    18 February 2008, 11.16AM

    Janey: Watering camellias is SO important as they develop their flower buds at the end of summer and during autumn. Water them well at those particular times. My two camellias are in large terracotta flower pots and also in ericaceous compost. They are kept in a part of the garden which has dappled shade, which is kinder to the blooms when the early morning sun hits them on frosty mornings. Having said that, they always flowered well out in the open on our patio, so I curious to see if they are better this year. I also feed twice yearly with Sequestrine of Iron.

  • Adam Pasco

    18 February 2008, 02.41PM

    Most camellias grow happily in large pots of ericaceous compost, but should do equally well in the garden. Why do buds drop in spring? This is due to water shortage last summer and autumn at the time new flower buds were developing. If compost went dry, or plants were very dry at their roots, then the layer of tissue at the base of new flower buds weakens, and the resulting flowers fall before opening fully. Remember that camellias are lime-hating shrubs, so tap water should be avoided for watering in hard water areas. Collect rainwater in a butt, and use this instead. Got a new camellia? If you have a shaded position and can develop an 'acid bed' by planting into ericaceous compost then fine. Do keep well watered all year. There's nothing wrong with growing camellias in pots, but you must: * plant in a large pot of at least 35cm across * use ericaceous compost * water using rainwater * keep pots in a cooler shaded site and NOT in full sun * feed annually with an acid/ericaceous plant food, such as Miracid or one containg iton sequestrene I hope these tips help.

  • Bonnie

    28 February 2008, 12.17PM

    I have five camellias in my garden about three years old and have flowered every year. This year there is not one flower bud on any of the plants, other wise they look healthy. My neighbours camellia has many flower buds.

  • brooklands

    28 February 2008, 08.38PM

    I have a large camellia bush in my garden it flowers every year, but as it gets bigger the flowers get smaller.Should I prune it? If so When and how.

  • brooks

    06 March 2008, 02.50PM

    Remedy for sooty mold on camellias please?

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