Common reasons for dropping leaves on Camellia:

Poor soil drainage from soils that do not drain well or hold too much water - results in plants being deprived of oxygen

Planting too deeply results in plants being deprived of oxygen and water

Chemical Damage - usually with browning of tips and margins then leaf drop

Cold Weather Damage

Normal spring leaf drop is usually indicated by yellowing of foliage then dropping but is replaced by new growth

For those in colder climates - Spring is the time to plant.  You can view all of our Cold Hardy Camellias on CamelliaShop.com ready to send to you now!!!  

Article provided by Dr. William Ackerman

Few woody ornamentals provide as much year-round pleasure as Camellias. During the bleak days of winter, when many plants are dormant, camellias dress up the landscape with their elegant flowers; dark, lustrous, evergreen foliage, and various leaf shapes and textures. A variety of habits abound: from prostrate to columnar, and open to dense.

For decades, horticulturists in the North have tried growing Southern camellias – often unsuccessfully. While some camellia cultivars seem to tolerate harsh winters, reliable hardiness was unattainable. These frequent failures further supported the camellia’s reputation for tenderness until recently.

Fortunately, the discovery of an obscure U.S. Department of Agriculture introduction of C. oleifera from northern China with a proven hardiness, has revolutionized the camellia world. C. oleifera grown in the Orient for almost 5,000 years as a source of cooking oil pressed from its seeds, this species has many strains and forms. A survey made in China in 1999, reported that C. oleifera was being grown over an area of 9.7 million acres in that country. This is roughly equivalent to the land area of the Maryland and Connecticut combined. It is not surprising that a select few developed extreme cold hardiness in the northern locations.

An extensive breeding program established at the U.S. National Arboretum in the late 1970’s, incorporated the cold hardiness of C. oleifera with the elegant flowers of the most widely grown standard varieties. As a result, we have a range of both spring and fall-flowering varieties being grown widely through areas of coastal New England, parts of the Mid-West Great Lakes area, and the Lake areas of Canada.

As stated earlier, if northern gardeners are to grow their camellias successfully, they need to follow certain basic principles specific for their climate.

• Spring planting rather than fall planting is usually recommended for northern areas.  This gives the plants a full growing season before the onset of winter.
• Avoid planting in full sun - especially early morning sun.  An over-story of evergreen shade trees providing winter protection from sun and wind is ideal.  
• Do not plant too deep.  The top of th emedia in the container should be level, or slightly above the surrounding ground.
• Mulch with pine needles, pine bark or non-packing leaves, to a depth of 3-4 inches
• Slightly acid, well drained soils similiar to soils for azaleas and rhododentrons.  
• Newly planted camellias may need some cold weather protection during the first several winters.  A wind and sun screen may be made with a circle of stakes around the plant then wrapped with burlap (or Microfoam) with several inches of dry leaves are examples.  If a source of Microfoam can be found, it is not necessary to use the leaves.
• Deer love the tender amellia leaves.  Fence small plants, or cover with black netting.

Numerous books and articles on the best camellia varieties and their culture have been written by, and directed towards, growers and landscapers in the South (’Camellia Belt’). While these publications are valuable for growers in that area, their recommendations can be misleading and sometimes, disastrous, in northern climates.

A recent book ‘Beyond the Camellia Belt’ by Dr. William Ackerman, gives comprehensive advice on succeeding with camellias in colder climates. A few examples of which are included above. The book also includes descriptions and photos of the 65 cold hardy varieties recently introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, D.C.   You should be able to find it at Amazon.com

To view or purchase Royal Velvet on CamelliaShop.com  CLICK HERE!

There are over 200 camellia species thought to exist in the world today, with many of these species being unfamiliar to avid camellia growers. Camellia Japonica has been the most popular camellia in the south for over one hundred and fifty years. Like all camellia species, Camellia Japonica originated in the orient. It is native to southern Japan, the Kiu Kiu Archipelago which includes the Taiwan island of Formosa, three additional slands off the coast of China, and the extreme southern part of Korea. For many years, southern gardeners have simply referred to Camellia Japonicas as “camellias”, almost to the point of not realizing that any other camellia species exist.

View the complete PDF Article

View the Camellia japonica cultivars available on Camelliashop.com

If you're in the Charleston South Carolina area this winter, you need to take time to visit the Camellia garden at Magnolia Plantation!  It's a trip worth making! 

Nestled along the Ashley River just outside of Charleston, South Carolina is one of America’s most hidden treasures. The peacefulness and serenity of the gardens of Magnolia is something that one could only appreciate after strolling through it magical trails. Every turn is another adventure, and behind every corner is another discovery. I heard so many stories about Magnolia from my mother when I was growing up. She was from Charleston, and she relived her memories of Magnolia in every story that she would tell. According to my mom, this garden paradise was something bigger than life itself. It was years later before I actually visited Magnolia, but I soon understood why my mother loved it so much.

My passion is camellias. Those that know me realize that I am always in search of just one more camellia, and it was this quest that first brought me to visit Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. I have travelled across America in search of camellias, and I have visited many of the most well known camellia collections in this country, but Magnolia was like nothing that I had experienced before. For a camellia lover like me, it was nothing short of having a kid in the candy store. Just about every type of camellia that you can imagine from a bygone era is flourishing within this southern paradise. I don’t think that I ever took as many pictures with my camera as I did when I first discovered Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.

My primary interests in visiting Magnolia were to see their vast camellia collection and to walk through the same garden that my mother had loved when she was growing up. In taking the tour and discovering the story behind the gardens, I learned so much more than I had even imagined.

The story at Magnolia centers around a truly remarkable family and their journeys through this earthly paradise for eleven generations. It began in the late 1600’s when Thomas Drayton married Ann Fox. Ann’s father gave the newlyweds the property that is now Magnolia, and that is where it all started. Way back then, life in America was a challenge at best. This country was truly a wilderness. As the Draytons began to carve out a life on the plantation, one of the first issues was to establish a formal garden that they called “Flowerdale’. This degree of formality helped them make some organization in an otherwise free flowing environment.

Although many different types of crops were attempted at Magnolia, it turned out to be the growing of rice that was responsible for wealth and prosperity. It did not take long before the Drayton Family was one of the most influential families in the south.

Magnolia and the Drayton family have much history from the colonial days to the American Revolutionary War. Many of the family members played prominent roles in American history along with the history of South Carolina. From the historical account of how the gardens and the fabulous camellia collection came into being, a major happening occurred in 1825.

It was in 1825 that the estate of Magnolia passed to two brothers. The older one was named Thomas Grimke and the younger of the two was John Grimke. Thomas took charge of the plantation, while John decided to follow his calling into the ministry and study at the seminary. Nothing could have prepared John for was about to take place. John received word that his brother Thomas had tragically been killed in a hunting accident at Magnolia. This event had a profound impact on the future of Magnolia Plantation.

Everything that the Rev. John Grimke Drayton had planned to do with his life had changed in the blink of an eye. At twenty two years old, he was now responsible for assuming the control of Magnolia Plantation. The stress of the situation was certainly not an easy thing, and then something else happened that made things look even darker.

John contracted tuberculosis. This debilitating condition made the tasks at hand even more difficult. Sometimes in life during the darkest hours, decisions are made that can change everything, and that is just what happened at Magnolia. The Rev. Drayton’s doctors suggested that his health might improve if he began working outside, so that is exactly what he did. He went outside and began working every day with the slaves. He developed a close relationship with one slave named Adam Bennett who was in charge of taking care of the garden. Together, they created more gardens, and to everyone’s amazement, the Rev. John Drayton witnessed his health return. This was truly a miracle to John, and he spent the rest of his life developing the gardens of Magnolia for the glory of God.

Another interesting story about Magnolia is the great love story that contributed to the development of these romantic gardens. Rev. Drayton had married a lovely lady named Julia from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The new Mrs. Drayton was terribly homesick, so John worked even harder in the gardens to create such an earthly paradise that his beloved Julia would be content at Magnolia. Many of these wonderful plants that we enjoy today were the result of a love story of years gone by. Many of the camellias that I enjoy so much in the gardens today were originally planted for the love of Julia.

During the time when Rev. John was building the gardens, a change in philosophy was noticed. Originally when the Drayton family started out at Magnolia, the garden design was formal to create some organization in a wilderness. Under John’s direction, the garden design became more in tune with the nature that in cohabitated with. Rather than fighting nature, Rev. Drayton openly embraced it with his garden design. Today’s gardens still carry the romantic theme started by Rev. Drayton many years ago.

Another troubling time came for Magnolia with the beginning of the American Civil War. Rev. Drayton stayed at Magnolia most of the war. When the Union forces began advancing towards Charleston, he was forced to retreat to his summer home in Flat Rock, North Carolina. As most of the plantations in the south were destroyed, Rev. Drayton could only imagine what had happened to his beloved Magnolia until his former care taker slave Adam Bennett came to find him in North Carolina. Adam had walked all the way from Magnolia just to find Rev. Drayton. Although the house had been destroyed, the gardens remained. Together, Drayton and Bennett went back to Magnolia to begin picking up the pieces.

After the Civil War, it became very difficult for Rev. Drayton to keep Magnolia going. He sold much of his land holdings other than his home, and he leased parts of the plantation for phosphorous mining in order to keep things together. As he and Adam rebuilt the gardens, many suggested that they open the gardens up to the public, so everyone could come and see this hidden treasure. In 1870, he opened Magnolia Plantation up as a public garden. By the beginning of the 1900’s, Magnolia Plantation was a world renowned garden with 1000’s of visitors every year. It seems that every time in her history when something really bad took place, something really good rose up to make Magnolia even stronger and better than she was before.

The story of Magnolia and the Drayton Family continues today. In 1965 under the leadership of Drayton Haste, Magnolia Plantation and its gardens opened to the public full time. Up until then, it only opened seasonally during the spring. This began another chapter in the exciting life of America’s last romantic garden. Many additional gardens including the Audubon Swamp Garden were opened. Many more types of plants were added to give the plantation even more appeal with something blooming at all times. The Magnolia of today is still looked after with the same love and stewardship by the Drayton Family that has nurtured it since its inception over 320 years ago.

Magnolia Plantations and Gardens have one of America’s finest and most historic camellia collections. By visiting these beloved treasures of the past, I discovered so much more. When I walk the same trails that Rev. Drayton once walked, I wander what he must have thought when he was planning and planting the camellias that I admire today. Sometime when the wind is softly blowing through the trees, I can imagine that he and many that have gone before us are still there smiling as they see so many visitors enjoy their labor of love. If you have never experience the magic of Magnolia, you don’t know what you are missing. I have only mentioned just a small portion of the rich history of Magnolia and its family. Why don’t you plan a trip to visit Magnolia and experience its enchantment for yourself? I can guarantee that it will be the first of many visits that you will make to Magnolia.

Pictured: Camellia hybrid 'Cinnamon Cindy'

SEE OUR FULL COLOR ARTICLE IN PDF

 Problems with camellias can occur at any stage of development and growth.  Some may be minor annoyances while others may cause death.  A little detective work is usually necessary when diagnosing camellia problems.  Make certain you gather all of the facts pertaining to your plant before making a diagnosis.  Never make quick decisions on appearance only as some symptoms may mimic others causing an incorrect diagnosis and very possibly inappropriate treatment.

While we do not have the answer for every single problem, we've tried to provide you with some common ailments.  If you have specific problems that you can't find the answer to here, email us and send pictures to info@camelliashop.com

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 Camellias are not native to America. They are indigenous to Asia, and are commonly found growing in Japan, China, and Vietnam. There are over two hundred different species of camellias that are known to exist throughout the world, but the most recognized camellias species is the western world are Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua. As much as we enjoy the ornamental value of camellias, our love affair with these beautiful shrubs began with an unquenchable thirst for one of its lesser known species.

 For over three thousands years, people in China and Japan have enjoyed a drink made from the leaves of a camellia species known as Camellia sinensis. In Asia, the word for this drink was called cha, but in the western world, we know it as tea. In the early 1600’s, English traders discovered tea in southern China and began importing this product back to England. It did not take long for the English to develop a strong liking for this camellia drink, and it soon became one of the most sought after commodities in England. In the early 1700’s, certain English entrepreneurs, came up with a plan to import Tea Plants into England to produce local tea. It has been widely speculated that during the initial attempts to import Tea Plants, the Chinese traders substituted plants of Camellia japonica to the unknowing Englishmen. This ancient version of deception may have delayed the importation of the highly sought after Tea Plants, but it also may have been the first step of camellias reaching our gardens in America.

 During the latter part of the eighteenth century, camellias were beginning to make their way to America. According to Brown and Feathers in their 1978 book entitled The Camellia, the first record of japonicas being brought into the United States was at Hoboken, New Jersey around 1797. The first camellias in America were grown in greenhouses in several northern cities. BothBoston and Philadelphia were famous for their camellias during the early to mid 1800’s.

 In the mid nineteenth century, camellias were distributed from the northern production areas to the southern states by way of the many plantations in the south. Both Middleton Place andMagnolia Gardens near Charleston, South Carolina became some of the first gardens in the south to have camellia collections. Today, the old camellias of Middleton Place still provide enchantment every year to gardeners who visit during the blooming season.

 Camellias in America were considered to an aristocratic plant during the early years. Only those wealthy enough to have greenhouses in the north and those with large plantations in the south grew camellias initially. By the early 1900’s, camellias began to become part of the average southern garden. As more varieties became available, southern gardeners realized that these exquisite flowers were grown on some of the most handsome shrubs as well. The combination of great plants and beautiful blooms made camellias a favorite in southern gardens.

 Today, there are over 10,000 varieties of Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua growing in the United States. This diversity of flower and form combined with a beautiful shrub that is easy to grow has made camellias the queen of southern gardens. Colors range from white to pink to red with just about every shade and combination of these colors available. Most camellias bloom between September and March which provides a unique bust of ornamental color when most plants in the garden are asleep. Camellias prefer moist acid soils and moderately cold temperatures. These factors have made camellias perfect transplants into our southern landscapes.

 The future of camellias promises even more changes to the already superb ornamental. Each year, more new camellia species are making their way closer to our gardens. In 1980, the first yellow flowering camellia species called Camellia nitidissima was imported into America. In recent years, more diverse yellow flowering species have begun to be transplanted into our southern gardens as well. Many new camellias species such as Camellia lutchuensis and Camellia fraterna are very fragrant shrubs that may one day help camellia hybrids to be even sweeter smelling than roses. In 1989, another camellia species called Camellia azalea was discovered in a remote region of China. The unique characteristic about this camellia species is its long blooming season. It can bloom twelve months out of the year. All of these diverse characteristics of these new camellia species will one day improve our perception of camellias to degrees never before thought possible.

 Camellias have been part of our southern gardens for many generations. Their graceful plant forms, majestic foliage, and winter blooming characteristics make camellias a perfect choice for every southern garden. With many plants well over a century old, camellias have truly become part of our southern heritage.

Taxonomy and biological classification

Carolus Linnaeus, and 18^th century Swedish botanist, is responsible for most of the world’s classification of plants and animals, otherwise known as Taxonomy.  Although the naming of plants and animals is an age-old habit, Linnaeus’ system of taxonomy remains today as the most widely used method for plant and animal classification.

Linnaeus was an arrogant but highly intelligent botanist.  He was not modest to tell people later in life that ‘no man has ever transformed science in the way that I have.’    He published a book called Species Plantarum in 1753.  This book contained a listing of all plants known to him at that time and was the world’s first plant encyclopedia.  This book completely changed the way plants were named.

Linnaeus designed a two word plant name system that we still use today.  This type of name is called “binomial” meaning having two names.   We often refer to this as the botanical name.  The first name is to indicate the genus and is always capitalized.  The second is to indicate the species and is always listed with a small letter.   For example, Camellia japonica -  Camellia is the genus and japonica indicates the species.  Linnaeus went one step further.  He allowed for the name of the person that developed the plant to follow the species.  For example Camellia japonica L  or Camellia japonica Linnaeus,   as he often abbreviated.    Today this further classification after the species name is often used to describe a variety, or a seedling or cultivar of a particular species.  Commonly used are names in honor of someone, or specific name to distinguish the variety or cultivar.  For example, Camellia japonica Pink Perfection, or Camellia sasanqua Yuletide

Linnaeus loved naming plants after people he admired.   He named the genus Magnolia after the French botanist Pierre Magnol and the Camellia after Josef Kamel, a fellow botanist.  Linnaeus also was a vindictive man and named plants after people he did not like!  He named the species Sigesbeckia after a critic Johann Siegesbeck that he often disagreed with.  Sigesbeckia is a species of plant that is creeping in nature and grows in the mud.   Seems like he called it like he saw it!

The Classification of Camellias

The easy version of plant classification is:  Kingdom, Order, Family, Genus, Variety or Cultivar

There are a lot of other breakdowns between Kingdom and Species, and for this article we will not get that technical.   When tracing the classification of camellias, it’s fairly simple…

Camellia Classification:

Kingdom – Plantae

Kingdom is the classification of all living organisms.  This kingdom contains several divisions for animals and plants.   Camellias belong to the Plantae Kingdom.

Order – Ericales

Ericales are of the rank “Order” and are a further division of the dicotyledons, or ‘dicots’.  Dicots are plants that produce seeds with two embryonic leaves.   Some common Ericales are Camellia, Azalea, Blueberry, and Kiwi.

Family – Theaceae

Family is the further division of groupings of plants that have similar characteristics.  Camellias belong to the family of Theaceae.  Azaleas belong to the family of Ericaceae.  Roses belong to the family of Rosaceae and the list goes on and on.  Each of these families have certain characteristics that are similar that put them in the same family. For example, plants in the Theaceae family are characterized by leaves that are serrated and glossy, more predominantly evergreen, but some deciduous species are included in this family such as the Franklinina and Stewartia.  Plants also tend to have multi stamens, and fruit tends to be in capsules, or seed pods.

Genus – Camellia

Family is further broken down in to genus.   The family of Theaceae includes the genus Camellia.   Three genus of Theaceae are native to the Southeastern United States – Franklinia, Stewartia, & Gordonia.   Camellia is the most popular genus in the family of Theaceae.

Species

Genus is divided into species.  A common definition of species is a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring of both genders.  There are over 250 known species of the genus camellia in the world today.  The most common species of camellia are Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua.  The genus Camellia is further divided into a group called Thea.  This division includes the camellia species of C. sinensis, C. taliensis and C. irrawadiensis.  These species in the Thea division contain caffeine, theobromine and theophylline which are not found in any other species or in the Theaceae family.  These camellia species are used for making tea – with Camellia sinensis being the most popular.

Variety or Cultivar – Pink Perfection

The final breakdown in the classification of plants if variety or cultivar.  For example, Camellia japonica ‘Pink Perfection’ is a cultivar or variety of the genus Camellia and species japonica.  A variety or cultivar was derived from sexual propagation of the species which means that pollen and stamen from two different flowers joined together to form a seed pod.  If the two parents were of the same species, such as japonica, then the resulting plant is a japonica and is genetically different from all other plants.  Thus it is now considered a variety or cultivar and can have a unique name, such as ‘Pink Perfection’ added just behind the species name.   In the event the plant was a result from seed and pollen from parents of different species, such as japonica and sasanqua, then the resulting variety or cultivar would be classified as a hybrid.

In a nutshell….

The classification of plants can be as simple or as complicated as you wish to make it.  The only thing that really matters in the world of camellia taxonomy is that that all camellias have one true characteristic – they are simply beautiful!