“Discovering the Charm of Camellias: Uncovering Surprising Facts Behind the Beloved Shrub’s Popularity”

Discovering the Fascinating Facts About Camellias, a Beloved Southern Flower
Camellias are a beloved staple in Southern gardens, with their stunning blooms adding a burst of color even during the cooler months. With names like “rose of winter” and “queen of winter flowers,” it’s easy to see why these shrubs and small trees are so popular. Beyond their striking resemblance to roses, camellias can also resemble anemones or peonies, with single, double, and semi-double blooms in shades of red, pink, white, and more. But there’s more to these enchanting flowers than meets the eye – discover little-known tidbits about camellias that will deepen your appreciation for this Southern favorite.

Camellias are a diverse group of plants with over 200 species and thousands of varieties originating from Asia. The American Camellia Society recommends growing japonicas, sasanquas, or reticulatas for the best results in the US. By selecting staggered blooming times, camellias can exhibit flowers for months between autumn and spring. Sasanquas are great for fall color, while japonica cultivars can bloom through fall into spring. Reticulatas have big blooms but may be sensitive to cold. Breeders are now working on summer-blooming hybrids and trendy colors like yellow and purple. Although camellias are not typically cold-hardy, hardier varieties have been developed that can grow in Zone 6. For colder climates, camellias can be grown in large containers indoors and moved outside during spring. Interestingly, the camellia is part of American history as the species used to make tea, Camellia sinensis, is the most popular type. Lastly, famed fashion designer Coco Chanel was a fan of the flower due to its lack of fragrance, which didn’t compete with her signature perfume, Chanel No. 5.

Discover the best camellias to cultivate in your garden with the recommendations of Khoury. If you’re interested in growing these stunning plants, consider newer and noteworthy varieties such as ‘Strawberry Limeade’ (C. sasanqua) which produces strawberry-pink flowers with lime green tips and centers in Zones 7-10. Another excellent option is ‘Early Autumn’ (C. japonica) which yields lavender-rose blooms from early fall to late winter in the same zones. Try the hybrid ‘Dragon Fireball’ for anemone-shaped red flowers with white margins that bloom from late winter to mid-spring in Zones 7-10. Lastly, ‘Jim Smelley’ (C. reticulata) can be grown for its large, semi-double, dark-pink flowers with yellow antlers that blossom from mid- to late-season in Zones 8-10.