Camellias

Camellia’s are a fantastic winter flowering large shrub with deep green glossy foliage, which looks great all year round.

Camellia’s make a wonderful hedge in semi-shaded positions. Generally flowers are in tones of pink, red and white.

CAMELLIA GROWING GUIDE AND 2009 LIST:

SITE SELECTION: Camellias prefer a semi-shaded position - the south west side of the house, or dappled shade under trees is ideal. They will grow in full sun, especially the Sasanquas, but protection from strong sun and wind is best.

SOIL PREPARATION: Camellias are shrubs from evergreen forests and are therefore suited to a soil with a high content of organic matter. Planting sites are best prepared with peat moss or leaf mulch until the soil becomes friable. Mix 50/50 with the soil excavated for the planting hole. Use no lime as camellias require an acid soil. Stake you tree and protect with windbreak cloth.

MULCHES: Camellias are shallow rooting, and therefore dry out easily. They also will not tolerate cultivation around their roots. To conserve moisture and reduce weeds use Peat Moss to mulch around the drip line to a depth of 50-70mm deep.

FEEDING: Feed with an acid fertilser such as KINGS AZALEA,CAMELLIA AND RHODODENDRON FOOD immediately after flowering has ceased, and once more during the growing season.

SPRAYING: Spray against caterpillars, thrips, and aphids approximately three times during the year. Yates Confidor is ideal.

WATERING: Deep watering in dry periods is essential for healthy camellias. When watering, spray the foliage occasionally. This will help to maintain pest free leaves.

PRUNING:The removal of spindly, damaged or overcrowded wood, the shortening of strong, uncharacteristic growth, and basic shape clipping is the only pruning required for camellias. Camellias can be trained into pillars, balls and standards if desired.

2009 LIST OF MOST REQUESTED VARIETIES:

We list our extensive range of quality Camellias below divided into categories. Please enquire as there are varieties we don't have listed - and if there are varieties we do not have in stock we will do our best to locate them for you.

JAPOINCA AND HYBRID CAMELLIAS:

Japonicas are by far the best known, these varieties can grow from a small shrub to a tree of four to five meters. Flowering from early winter to late spring they are excellent for the winter garden. Some Hybrids have smaller leaves and bear small flowers in mass profusion. There are a wide range from true miniatures to strong upright plants that can be used as landscape or container plants.
ADORABLE. Hybrid, Small bright pink double to rose form. 1.5 x 1m. M-L
ARIEL'S SONG. Hybrid. Deep purple/bronze new growth. Miniature white single flower on arching branches. Strong grower. Hardy. 2.5 x 1m. M
BLACK TIE. Very dark red medium formal double.
BOB HOPE.Very large semi-double, dark red. July to October
CINNAMON CINDY. Hybrid. Miniature semi-double white & pale pink. Fragrant 1.5 x 1m. E-L
DONATION. Hybrid. Large semi-double, orchid pink. Prolific flowerer. 2.5 x 2m. E-L
ELEGANS SPLENDOR.Light pink, edged white large anemone form. 2x1m June to July.
ELEGANS SUPREME. Rose pink large anemone form. June to July.
ELFIN ROSE. Pretty bright pink double. 1x1m August to October.
FLAME. Japonica. Flame red semi-double. 2.5 x 2m.
GUILIO NUCCIO. Japonica. Very large salmon semi-double. 2.5 x 2 m.
GWENNETH MOREY. Japonica. Large cream to yellow anemone. 2 x 2m. M
HIGH FRAGRANCE. Hybrid. Med double pale pink shading to darker at edges. Most Fragrant. 3 X 1.5. M
HAWAII. Pale pink peony, medium to large. July to August

K. SWADA. Japonica. Large pure white formal double. 2 x 1.5m. E-M.
KRAMERS SUPREME. Japonica. Turkey red very large peony blooms. Fragrant. 2.5 x 2.5. M
LES JURY. Crimson red medium to large peony, formal double. July to August.
LITTLE LAVENDER. Pale lavender-pink anemone double. July to October.
MANSIZE. Japonica. Miniature white anemone. 2 x 1.5m. M
MARGARET DAVIS. Japonica. Large pink with white edge peony. 2.5 x 2m. M-L
MARK ALAN. Japonica. Large Red anemone form, long narrow petals. 3 x 2. M
MIDNIGHT. Japonica. Medium dark red semi double. 2 x 1.5. M
NICKY CRISP. Hybrid. Shimmering pink semi-double. Slow growing small bush. 1.5 x 1m. E-M
NUCCIO'S GEM. Japonica. Pale pink formal double. 2.5 x 2m. M
NUCCIO'S PEARL. Japonica. blush white formal double blooms. 2m x 1m. M-L
ONETIA HOLLAND. Japonica. Very large pure white peony. 2.5 x 1.5m. M-L
QUINTESSENCE. Hybrid. Miniature pure white single. Fragrant. 1.5 x 1m. M-L
ROGER HALL. Japonica. Small to med bright red formal. 2.5 x 2m. E-L
SPRING FESTIVAL. Hybrid. Mini soft pink semi-double. Upright, 2 x 1m. M-L
TAKANINI. Deep purple-red, medium semi-double anemone. 3x2m
WHITE HIBISCUS. Japonica. Med. White semi-double. 2 x 1.5m. M-L

SASANQUA CAMELLIAS:

Favoured for their hardiness and early flowering. Ideal as an ornamental hedge plant, container specimen or shaped topiary shrub.
BONANZA.Deep red, large semi-double. May to June.
CRIMSON KING. Vigorous and upright, valued for luxuriant rich green foliage and rich red, single, scented flowers with golden stamens. 2m E-M
EARLY PEARLY. Small white formal double. 2 x 1.7m. E
GAY BORDER. White edged single pink. 2.5 x 2m. E
HIRYU. Bright cerise red single to semi-double. Ideal for hedges. 2.5 x 2m. E
JENNIFER SUSAN. Mauve pink peony. 2 x 1.5m. E
MIDNIGHT LOVER. Dark red medium sized single flower, 2 x 1.2m. E
MOONLIGHT. (Mine no Yuki). Small pure white peony. Pendulous. 2 x 1.5m. E
PARADISE SERIES. A high performance collection of Camellias ranging from Dwarf to 3mt tall varieties. E
PLANTATION PINK. Large mid pink single. 2.5 x 2m. E
SETSUGEKKA. Large pure white. 2.5 x 2m. E
SILVER DOLLAR. Pure white semi-double. 2 x 1.5m
TANYA. Small single rose pink, light fragrance. Good in pots. 1 x 1.2m. E-M
YULETIDE. Medium orange-red single blooms with yellow stamens. 2 x 1m. E

SPECIES CAMELLIAS:

Ever popular species Camellias from the Indo-China region are something a bit different for gardens and containers.
LUTCHUENSIS. Highly fragrant, single tiny white flowers. 2.5 x 2m. M
TRANSNOKOENSIS. Dainty white flowers in clusters. 2.5 x 2m. M
TSAI. White, single, miniature, perfumed flowers with slight pink blush. 2.5 x 2m. M

Kings stock a much wider range than just those listed above, please come in and see our friendly knowledgeable staff for any other varieties you require or information you may need.