Page 13 - MNLGA Free State Winter 2024_WEB

GROWING WITH EDUCATION A Ginny Rosenkranz

Camellias: Tree with Shining

Leaves

n China, Camellias were known
as ‘tree with shining leaves’,
Ibut in North America we truly
treasure Camellias for their beautiful
flowers against the backdrop of
their shiny dark green leaves. The
Camellia japonica possibly arrived
in London in 1650, and was called
Tay or Tee. In the spring it produces
very large flowers in reds, pinks,
whites, and combinations of all 3.
Camellia sasanqua is known as the
fall blooming Camellias and thrives
in the afternoon shade and morning
sun with slightly acidic, moist but well
drained soil, that has been enhanced
with compost. Plant soil balls should
be planted about 2 inches above
the ground and with a light covering
of mulch to shade the roots and
maintain soil moisture in summer
and keep the roots warmer in winter.
C. sasanqua is a graceful evergreen
shrub or small tree with arching
branches and can be used as a
specimen flowering tree, a foundation Yuletide fall blooming camellia flowers
shrub, an evergreen hedge, and
even espaliered against a wall or double rows of petals, that surround days before the petals cascade to
fence. Depending on the variety, C. a central boss of bright yellow the ground, creating a colorful carpet
sasanqua can grow from 3 feet to stamens. These blooms, smaller of color mirroring the flowers still on
14 feet tall. One of the reasons why but more abundant than the spring the plants. Fall blooming Camellias
the fall blooming Camellias are so blooming Camellias, can bloom bloom in bright shiny reds, pinks,
popular is the profusion of their 2–3 from September through December, white and even in a blue-lavender
inch fragrant flowers that range from depending on the variety of Camellia. flower, which is called a Green’s
a single row of petals, semi double, or The individual flowers only last a few (continued on next page)

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