‘Winter Star’ camellia (pale pink- photo on left) is the first camellia to bloom in the Conlon garden this fall season. My 8 year-old camellia has 50 or more flowers currently opened and promises to continue blooming through most of November. Other hardy fall blooming cultivars are heavily budded and will open  thru mid- December, weather permitting.

A few days later the cultivar ‘Cleopatra’ (rose pink- photo on right) opens and it has bloomed reliably during its 8 year tenure. Camellia experts rate ‘Cleopatra’ as not reliably flower bud hardy below – 5° F. Open camellia flowers are more susceptible to an evening cold snap than tightly closed buds.

Camellia culture is similar to azaleas and rhododendrons. Plant them in half day sunlight (morning exposure preferred) and in an acidic, well-drained soil which has been generously amended with organic matter. Camellias are susceptible to very few disease and insect pests. Irrigate newly planted camellias weekly during extremely dry summer periods and protect them against the harsh winter winds.

Prune most camellias when the spring flowering period is over in late April -early May and before the spring growth flush has begun. This includes the fall bloomers. Primarily prune shrubs to limit their height / spread and to remove dead / damaged branches.