ARTICLES :: Camellias Nov 2009

By:  Melinda Sperl

Camellias are a true southern plant.  I have heard about these plants forever and just can’t wait to show them to customers.  One of my favorites is the Camellia Sasanqua ‘yuletide’.  This showy plant has a showy flower with red petals and  bright yellow stamens.  The flowers last for two or more months making them one of the longest lasting flowering plants.  The bloom cycle is late October through December. 

Camellia’s are hardy in part shade but can tolerate some sun. They are evergreen and make a good specimen plant or can be trained as a hedge.  Plants can range from 3’ to 8’ tall and just as wide so plant them where they have room to grow.  Landscapers spend a lot of hours taking out plants that are too big where they are planted so make sure you give them room. 

Happy Gardening!

Melinda Sperl is the owner of Dream Landscape Design, Inc., a full service landscape company.  You can reach Melinda at Melinda@dreamlandscapedesign.com or www.dreamlandscapedesign.com