For a plant that blooms in the colder months of the year the camellia is hard to beat. In areas where the winters are too hard for it to thrive outdoors the camellia can be grown in a greenhouse or conservatory where its shiny evergreen leaves and colorful flowers will cheer the darkest winter day. This article by Marianne Lipanovich which I found on the Houzz website describes several popular varieties of this attractive shrub.
It?s easy to understand why versatile camellias are a go-to plant for gardeners in warm-winter climates. They?re attractive evergreen shrubs or trees that are not hard to grow and are at home in a variety of garden settings. Even better, camellias bloom prolifically in fall and winter, adding much-wanted color to the landscape. Flowers come in varying shades of pastels and reds and in a variety of forms, some of which can resemble roses, peonies and anemones.?Debutante? camellia (Camellia japonica ?Debutante?) is a classic choice that blooms from fall into winter.
The two most popular choices are the japonica camellia (Camellia japonica) and the sasanqua camellia (Camellia sasanqua). Choose the more formal-looking japonicas for late fall to spring blooms or the somewhat smaller-flowered sasanquas for flowers in the fall and early winter. For a longer-lasting display, mix and match the two for color from October to April.
Even if you already have camellias in your garden, it?s worth taking a look at the newest offerings. The latest hybrids include more cold-hardy options, added fragrance and even some with yellow blooms.The flowers of ?Diana? sasanqua camellia (C. sasanqua ?Diana?) are known for their pure white color and semi-double form.
Botanical names: Camellia japonica, C. sasanqua
Common name: Camellia
Origin: Native to southern and eastern Asia
Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 7 to 9;); newer hybrids can handle temperatures to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (zone 6)
Typical plant communities: Lightly shaded open forests
Water requirement: Moderate to regular; let the root ball dry out slightly between waterings
Light requirement: Light shade is ideal, though they can handle morning sun; sasanqua camellias are more sun-tolerant
Mature size: From 2 feet to 20 feet tall; most range from 6 to 15 feet tall and 5 to 10 feet wide?Pink-a-Boo? sasanqua camellia (C. sasanqua ?Pink-a-Boo?)
Benefits and tolerances: Prefer acidic soil; can grow in the shade of taller trees with deep roots; some sasanqua varieties are fragrant as well.
See more at Houzz