Camellia blooms for Christmas

Sunset, Dec, 1993 by Michael MacCaskey

BRING WINTER COLOR TO YOUR GARDEN BY SETTING OUT PLANTS THIS MONTH

Luscious blooms unfurl on many camellias this month in the mild-winter West, just in time for the holidays. Their delicate rounded and often frilled petals range from pale shell pink, rich rose, and vibrant white splashed with scarlet to fiery orange-red surrounding starbursts of yellow stamens. They stand out as visual poetry against glossy, dark green foliage, especially when flecked with raindrops.

Native to mild-winter areas of Asia, camellias thrive outdoors along the Pacific Coast. Despite their tender, hothouse looks, these plants are rugged; once established, most camellias thrive on surprisingly little water.

Of the many kinds that grow in the West and bloom between September and March, the ones that bloom mostly in December are C. japonica (which typically grow into 6- to 10-foot shrubs or small trees) and C. sasanqua (versatile, smaller-leafed shrubs that vary in habit from bushy and upright to floppy and vinelike). The chart at right lists 16 varieties that bloom most reliably in December, according to nurserymen and home growers we interviewed. The taller ones make handsome hedges; smaller ones (mostly sasanquas) can be trained as espaliers or grown in pots.

This month, while camellias are in bloom, is the best time to shop for them. The plants make elegant gifts for gardening friends or for your own garden.

STARTING CAMELLIAS RIGHT

Plant camellias in a spot that's sheltered from hottest sun and drying winds (although some kinds, noted on the chart, are more sun tolerant than others). Young plants grow and flower better in part shade. Tall plants in old gardens survive (but don't thrive) in full sun; their broad canopies shade their roots.

Provide well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Never plant camellias so the trunk base is below the soil line, and never permit soil to wash over and cover the base. Keep roots cool with a 1- to 2-inch-thick mulch (apply it away from the trunk).

If your water is high in salts, give plants a deep soaking at least twice in summer to wash accumulated salts past the root zone.

In spring and fall, apply a commercial camellia fertilizer according to package directions, and prune just after flowering only to control size and shape.

December-blooming camellias:

Here are 16 favorites

White

'Alba Plena' (C. japonica). Double 2 1/2-inch blooms on 8- to 10-foot plants.

'Nuccio's Gem' (C. japonica). White, beautifully petaled 3- to 4-inch double blooms of outstanding beauty and quality. A full, upright, and vigorous grower to 6 to 8 feet tall.

Pink and coral pink

'Chandleri Elegans' (C. japonica). Rose pink, anemone-like 3 1/2-inch semidouble blooms splashed with white. Grows to 8 feet.

'Coral Delight' (C. saluenensis and C. japonica hybrid). Deep coral pink 3-inch semidouble blooms sometimes mottled with white; small, dark green leaves. Upright, bushy plant grows slowly to 6 to 7 feet.

'Debutante' (C. japonica). Light pink 3-inch peony-like blooms. One of the best all-round camellias. Grows 10 to 12 feet tall.

'Egao' (C. sasanqua). Deep pink 2 1/2-inch semidouble blooms. Grows 6 to 8 feet tall. Sun-hardy.

'Magnoliaeflora' (C. japonica). Blush pink 3-inch semidouble blooms. Grows 6 to 10 feet tall.

'Nuccio's Carousel' (C. japonica). Soft pink 3-inch semidouble blooms with darker pink edges. Grows 6 to 8 feet tall.

'Rainbow' (C. sasanqua). White 2 1/2-inch single blooms with red border on each petal. Grows 6 to 8 feet tall. Sun-hardy.

'Shibori Egao' (C. sasanqua). Deep pink, shatter-resistant 3-inch semidouble blooms variegated with white. Grows 6 to 8 feet tall. Sun-hardy.

Red or orange-red

'Adolphe Audusson Variegated' (C. japonica). Dark red 3 1/2-inch semidouble blooms mottled with white. Grows 8 to 10 feet tall.

'Daikagura' (C. japonica). Bright rose red, peony-like 3- to 4-inch double blooms splotched with white. Grows 8 to 9 feet tall.

'Freedom Bell' (C. saluenensis and C. japonica hybrid). Bright red, bell-shaped 2 1/2-inch semidouble blooms. Grows 6 to 8 feet tall.

'Shishi Gashira' (C. hiemalis, usually sold as C. sasanqua). Bright rose red 2 1/2-inch double blooms. Reaches 2 1/2 to 5 feet tall; good as espalier or vine. Sun-hardy.

'Wildfire' (C. japonica). Fiery orange-red 3 1/2-inch semidouble blooms with yellow stamens. Grows 6 to 8 feet tall.

'Yuletide' (C. sasanqua). Brilliant orange-red 2-inch single blooms with bright yellow stamens. Compact, upright grower to 6 to 8 feet tall. Sun-hardy.