Long-blooming Camellia plants are loved by gardeners for good reason. Their love of slightly acidic soil makes them perfect for our area.

The Flowers

The blooms on Camellia bushes range from simple, single petaled flowers, to layered, many-petaled blooms. Their overlapping petal pattern can be completely mesmerizing. The flowers are typically red, pink or white. Bloom times depend on species.

Camellia japonica – Spring Camellia

Most of the Camellias that Youngs Garden carries are this type. They bloom between January and April. The flowers are larger and more complex, but not fragrant. The leaves on the plant are large and glossy.

Camellia sasanqua – Winter Camellia

Sasanquas bloom from November to February. Their flowers are small and single or semi-double form, but also have a sweet fragrance. The leaves on the plant are a matte green.

The Plant

Camellias have glossy, dark green leaves, so even when they aren’t covered in flowers they are a beautiful addition to a yard. Their large leaves and growth habit make them a nice hedge plant to create a visual screen. The size of the plants can vary quite a bit between varieties, but is generally between 6 and 12 ft tall and 4 to 6 ft wide.

The Conditions

These shrubs are going to prefer being planted in slightly acidic soil (which is what we have on this side of the Cascade Mountains). Partial shade or morning sun is best. They don’t love competing for nutrients, so give them some space from other large shrubs or trees. To get the best flower bud development, keep the soil moist.

The Problems

Insects like aphids, mealy bugs and scale are very common on Camellias. You will know that your plants need to be treated for insects if you notice black, sticky, sooty stuff on the new growth or flower buds.

Favorite Camellias

Camellia japonica ‘April Kiss’ April Kiss Camellia is the earliest blooming in the “April” series. It produces flowers abundantly on upright growth. More cold hardy that most varieties. Size: 8 ft high x 5 ft wide Bloom time: January – February (Mid winter to late winter) Flowers: Deep rose pink, formal double, small (2.5-3″) blooms Water: Keep soil evenly moist, but no standing water. Sun: Best in part sun (morning sun with afternoon shade) USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 6

Camellia japonica ‘April Tryst’ April Tryst Camellia has very showy, fragrant flowers with a long bloom season. The cold tolerant plant is vigorous and grows quickly. Size: 8 ft high x 5 ft wide Bloom time: February – March (Late winter to early spring) Flowers: Red with white stripes, anemone form, medium (3-4″) blooms Water: Keep soil evenly moist, but no standing water. Sun: Best in part sun (morning sun with afternoon shade) USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 6

Camellia japonica ‘Early Autumn’ Early Wonder® Early Autumn or Early Wonder Camellia blooms earlier than most. It flowers profusely with stunning, concentric blooms in the fall and early winter. Size: 6-8 ft high x 4-6 ft wide Bloom time: November – February (Late fall to late winter) Flowers: Rose pink, formal double Water: Keep soil evenly moist, but no standing water. Sun: Best in part sun (morning sun with afternoon shade) USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 7

Camellia japonica ‘In the Pink’ In the Pink is a gorgeous camellia. Its wavy pink petals contrast well against the glossy, dark green leaves. Size: 10 ft high x 7 ft wide Bloom time: March – April (Early spring to mid spring) Flowers: Rose-pink, rose-form to formal double, medium (3-4″) blooms Water: Keep soil evenly moist, but no standing water. Sun: Best in part sun (morning sun with afternoon shade) USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 7

Camellia x williamsii ‘Jury’s Yellow’ Jury’s Yellow Camellia is a unique plant. It’s peony-like flowers are white with a yellow glow in the center. Blooms can be so abundant that the leaves are completely hidden on this bush. Size: 8-12 ft high x 5-7 ft wide Bloom time: January – February (Late winter to early spring) Flowers: White with yellow at center, peony form, medium (3-4″) blooms Water: Keep soil evenly moist, but no standing water. Sun: Best in part sun (morning sun with afternoon shade) USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 7

Camellia japonica ‘Kramer’s Supreme’ Kramer’s Supreme Camellia is an award winning heirloom variety. Its huge, fragrant flowers add tons of color to a garden. The plant is vigorous with an upright, compact habit. Size: 8-10 ft high x 6-8 ft wide Bloom time: February – March (Late winter to early spring) Flowers: Bright red, full peony form, large (4-5″) blooms Water: Keep soil evenly moist, but no standing water. Sun: Best in part sun (morning sun with afternoon shade) USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 7

Camellia japonica ‘Marie Bracey’ Marie Bracey Camellia is long blooming with bright pink flowers. The plant has a moderate growth rate. Size: 7 ft high x 6 ft wide Bloom time: February – March (Late winter to early spring) Flowers: Coral pink, semi-double to peony form, large to very large (4-6″) blooms Water: Keep soil evenly moist, but no standing water. Sun: Best in part sun (morning sun with afternoon shade) USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 7

Camellia japonica ‘Nuccio’s Pearl’ Nuccio’s Pearl Camellia is notable for its perfectly concentric petals that fade from pink on the edges to white at the center. It is one of the most exquisite flowers. Size: 6-8 ft high x 5-6 ft wide Bloom time: March – April (Early spring to mid spring) Flowers: Pink and white picotee, formal double, large (4-5″) blooms Water: Keep soil evenly moist, but no standing water. Sun: Best in part sun (morning sun with afternoon shade) USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 7

Camellia japonica ‘Spellbound’ Spellbound Camellia’s bright pink flowers bloom have an extended season. This shrub has an upright rounded form with dense foliage. Size: 8-10 ft high x 6-8 ft wide Bloom time: January – March (Mid winter to early spring) Flowers: Coral pink, anemone form, medium (3-4″) blooms Water: Keep soil evenly moist, but no standing water. Sun: Best in part sun (morning sun with afternoon shade) USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 7

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Deer Resistant Moderate resistance. Reportedly safe in some yards, but damaged by deer in others.

The Flowers

Rhododendron are among some of the first blossoms to welcome spring. Depending on the variety they will be blooming between late February and June. Each plant produces flowers for about three weeks. You can plant different varieties of Rhodys to extend the season that these plants are blooming in your yard.

These evergreen shrubs produce large clusters of bell shaped flowers on the ends of branches. The flowers can be seemingly endless shades of red, pink, purple, white, yellow or bi-colored. Deadheading spent bloom stalks isn’t required, but it can help make the plant more attractive. Any pruning should be done after blooming is completed, but before July 4th to avoid damaging the subsequent year’s buds.

The Plant

There is almost as much variety in the plant size as there is in the flower coloring. These shrubs can range from a 1 ft dwarf to a 15 ft giant. However, most varieties are going to be between 4 and 6 ft tall and wide. As a very general rule of thumb, the smaller the leaf, the smaller the plant. So a variety like R. Chikor with tiny leaves will be a dwarf sized bush.

These broad leaf evergreens grow in loose mounds with thick, leathery leaves. Foliage is generally dark green. Some foliage, like on Rhododendron ‘Ebony Pearl’, can be almost black with an iridescent shine.

The Conditions

Rhodys grow in the wild as understory shrubs. They thrive in dappled sun, or with afternoon shade. There are many varieties, however, that will tolerate full sun as long as it isn’t reflected off of a building or wall.

These plants prefer moist, well-drained, acidic soil (acidic is what we have in this area, west of the Cascade Mountains). Rhododendrons really do not like heavy, clay soils (which we also have in this area). Without adequate drainage the roots can rot. Be sure to amend your soil sufficiently with a compost when planting and plant the root ball high.

The Problems

The typical bothersome insects can be an issue, like aphids and mealy bugs. They may also need to be treated for fungal diseases like powdery mildew and rust, especially if airflow around the plant is limited. Moderately deer resistant, rhodys are sometimes ignored by deer and sometimes damaged. Despite the care that these plants may require, they are well worth growing and you can hardly call yourself a true Oregonian without at least one in your yard.

Check out the many rhody varieties that we offer.

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