🌹 Camellia
Camellia japonica
Roses are red, camellias bloom when roses won't.
Sun
Partial shade; morning sun, afternoon shade
Days to harvest
N/A — ornamental; blooms in 2–3 years
Spacing
5–8 ft
Soil pH
5.5–6.5 (acid-loving)
How to grow
Plant in acidic, well-drained, organic-rich soil — camellias share the azalea's strong opinions about pH. Sasanqua types bloom in fall, japonicas in winter and spring, so plant both and you'll have flowers for half the year. Mulch with pine straw and avoid planting too deep; the root flare should show. Florida's climate is camellia paradise.
Water & feeding
Consistent moisture, especially during bud formation in late summer and fall. Drought during bud set means fewer flowers — the plant holds a grudge.
Common problems
- Petal blight in wet weather (brown, mushy blooms — pick them off)
- Tea scale on leaf undersides
- Bud drop from drought stress or sudden temperature swings
- Chlorosis in alkaline soil
Harvest
No fruit — prune right after flowering finishes in spring. Camellias bloom on old wood, so fall pruning deletes next season's show. Deadhead spent blooms to keep things tidy.
Nerdy fact: Tea comes from Camellia sinensis — your ornamental camellia is a close cousin of your morning cup. Same genus, different life choices: one became a beverage empire, the other became the South's favorite winter flower.