USES
Camellias have a variety of sasanqua varieties such as
uses in the modern world. They
are used as beverages, cooking
oils, medicine and ornamental
plants.
Camellias sinensis, or the tea
plant is an important commer-
cial crop and tea is consumed
around the world. The four
most common teas; black,
oolong, green and white can all
be made from the leaves of the
same plant. They are just
processed differently. Most
bagged teas are blends of leaves
from different plant varieties or
plants grown in different tea
growing areas.
Tea oil is a sweet seasoning
and cooking oil produced from
the seeds of the oil-seed camel-
lia.
The camellia parasite Mycelia
sterile is used to produce
anthelmintic drugs, or those
drugs used to kill and expel
intestinal worms in humans,
pets and livestock.
Perhaps the most important
use of camellias is for the beau-
ty of their lush evergreen leaves
and large, colorful blooms.
There are more than 3,000 vari-
eties of ornamental camellias
used as garden plants, borders,
screens and container plants.
Some varieties begin bloom-
ing as the weather begins to
cool in October. Others will
bloom during the winter months
and still others bloom during
the spring in March and April.
To brighten your landscape
throughout the winter months
Fall flowers begin with the
Double Rainbow and japonica
varieties such as Debutante and
Daikagura Variegated. The early
sasanqua varieties are typically
single flowered, fragile and best
left on the plant. These varieties
may be used as accent plants,
dividers and patio trees.
Midseason varieties include
the Apple Blossom, Bob Hope,
Alba Plena and Chansonette.
Spring varieties may include
the white Buttermint, April
Remembered Ice Angels and
Colonel Firey.
Many of the later season
japonica varieties are large
blooms, either single or double
flowered and may be used in
floral arrangements. Many gar-
deners like to float the large
blossoms in bowls of water.
GROWING TIPS
Camellias are easy to grow,
especially in South Mississippi
with the acidic soils found in
this region. Slightly acidic to
neutral soils work best with a
pH of 6 – 7.
While these shrubs or small
trees can eventually reach
heights of 25-ft or more, do not
expect them to shoot up to those
heights any time soon. They are
relatively slow-growing, typical-
ly around a foot per year. The
plants rarely need to be pruned
and usually are not pruned until
they are several years old.
The nice is thing is, they
flower from an early age and
will begin to bloom the second
or third season.
Plant camellias in a well-
drained soil that is rich in
organic material.
Camellias should be protected
from full sun, although older,
well established plants can do
well in full sun when they are
sufficiently mature to shade
their root systems.
The small plants, generally
rooted from cuttings, can be
planted any time of year, but do
best when planted in the fall,
winter or early spring.
Camellias have shallow root
systems. To plant, dig a large
and deep hole. Fill in the bot-
tom part of the hole with loose
soil, compost material or wood
chips. In clay soils be sure to
break up hard clay and remove
any stones. Cut back any tree
roots that can rob the young
plant of needed moisture.
Be sure that the camellia is
planted shallowly and then
cover the freshly turned soil
with two to three inches of
mulch to help conserve mois-
ture.
Water sufficiently to keep the
soil moist but not wet.
With winter soon drawing to
a close, now is a perfect time to
be taking special note of the
camellias seen blooming now
and for the next few months and
pick your favorites. Next fall
you can begin planting your
own favorite camellias to start
your own cool weather flower
show.
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