Paraic’s Plant Of The Month: January 2019

The Camellia Japonica, sometimes called the Rose of Winter, is the January plant of the month. It has beautiful rose-like blooms which emerge slowly from January to May each year. It is a beautiful evergreen shrub that grows into a small tree. The Camellia prefers dappled light, including that found under deciduous trees or woodland plantings. Although the plant is vain by looks, it is versatile by nature. The Camellia can be grown in multiple different ways in the garden. It can be planted in patio pots, hedged, lollipopped, trained into a decorative espalier, bonsaied, or even planted in a big pot to dress the front of your home or patio.

How To Grow A Camellia

  • Plant with ericaceous compost and Gro-Sure ericaceous plant food.
  • Protect the shallow root with a thick mulch of organic matter (i.e. composted cow manure or fallen leaves).
  • Encourage flower growth by liquid feeding the plant in spring and summer. Use Gro-Sure ericaceous plant food.
  • Never let camellias dry out, especially during spring & summer - a drip irrigation system will keep them happy.
  • Remove faded blooms once a week from March to May and liquid feed with ericaceous liquid feed.
  • Take cuttings in late summer using the cutting globe propagator.

    How To Move A Camellia

    Camellias can be moved from one area in a garden to another. This is best done anytime from January to March.

    • Remove all the buds and flowers.
    • Take as big a root ball as possible and move to the new position.
    • Water with seaweed solution to help the Camellia settle in.

    Camellia Flower Types

    The flowers of a Camellia can be divided into six bloom types:

    Single: One row of petals, with no more than eight petals, curve back to show off a pillar of visible stamens, e.g. Tama-No-Ura.

    Semi-double: Two rows of petals gently overlap showing a boss of visible stamens, e.g. Lovelight.

    Formal-double: Several layers of overlapping petals create a perfect spiral with a central cone of furled petals arranged symmetrically, never showing stamens, e.g. Desire.

    Tama-No-Ura Camellia

    Single Camellia

    Lovelight Camellia

    Semi-double Camellia

    Desire Camellia

    Formal-double Camellia

    Anemone: One or more layers of outer petals ring a central mass of frilled petals with some stamens, e.g. Dona Herzilia de Freitas Magalhaes.

    Peony or Informal double: Raised petals hide a mass of twisted petals and stamens, e.g. Margaret Davis.

    Rose: Several layers of overlapping petals open to show off the central stamens, e.g. Guilio Nuccio.

    Anemone Camellia

    Anemone Camellia

    Peony Camellia

    Peony Camellia

    Rose Camellia

    Rose Camellia

    January is the ideal time to select and plant the beautiful “Rose of Winter”. They are now available in Horkans in a range of different colours and are ideal for adding some instant colour to your garden.

    Have you got a gardening question on your mind? Just contact your local store where one of our helpful and knowledgeable staff will be happy to help and answer any questions you may have.