Description
Having been in cultivation for more than a 1000 years and standing for faithfulness and longevity in the language of flowers, the Camellia shrub is one of the points of pride in Southern gardening. They are dense shrubs with brilliant foliage and offer bright, long-blooming flowers that come in white, pink, red or streaked and the blooms can be single or double. Camellias make a beautiful addition to winter wedding flower arrangements.
Camellias have a reputation as being demanding and picky plants but much depends on how they are planted. The trick to growing a camellia plant without too much effort is to plant it correctly and the required maintenance will be significantly reduced. When planting, a shady area with dappled sunlight is best, and definitely not in direct sun. The camellia requires acidic soil that drains well so test the soil first to be sure the pH range is between 6 and 6.5 and install it slightly higher than the surrounding soil. This allows excess water to drain away from the center of the plant. Caring for camellias will include water and fertilizer. When first starting your camellia, insure you provide a regular and generous watering routine until the root system is established.