Page 14 - MNLGA Free State Winter 2024_WEB

GROWING WITH EDUCATION (Continued)

Blues Sasanqua Camellia. This
™
variety starts out with dark purple
buds that open to purplish red the
first day then soften to lavender blue
the second day. This plant has more
intense colors in acidic soils and is a
semi dwarf, growing 4-6 feet tall and
wide. Fall blooming Camellia flowers
are not only visually captivating
but also come in a stunning variety
of colors, often with unique petal
textures. Some petals have fluted
or ruffled edges, while others have
overlapping petals resembling
roses. These plants bloom on old
growth, so it is best to wait until after
flowering to prune. Removing spent
flowers when possible does help to
conserve nutrients, which benefits the
plants’ health. Most of the Camellias
are cold tolerant from USDA zones
7-9, but recent breeding programs
have introduced new varieties with

Yuletide fall blooming camellia plant improved traits, like better disease
resistance and increased cold
tolerance. Typically, fall blooming
Camellias are hardy in USDA zones
7-9, but Dr. William Ackerman, a
plant breeder for USDA in Ashton,
Maryland, created reliably cold
hardy fall blooming Camellias down
to USDA zone 6. His work focused
on cold tolerant fall-blooming
varieties. Dr. Clifford Parks, a Chapel
Hill Botanist, emphasized color and
flower shape in his breeding efforts.
Together their work has expanded the
beauty and resilience of the beautiful
fall-blooming Camellias, and through
the US Arboretum, made them
accessible to gardeners in cooler
climates.
Camellia sasanqua is indeed a
wonderful choice for fall and early
winter blooming in USDA zones 7-9.
Some popular varieties are specifically
Camellia sassanqua cleopatra flower

14 WINTER 2024 • Free State News