Camellias: The Winter-Blooming Plants
Our tips for choosing and planting them successfully
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Camellias are hardy heathland shrubs, prized for the beauty of their flowers, their fragrance or for their evergreen foliage that remains impeccable all year round. While many bloom from late winter through spring, some varieties flower from late autumn right through winter.
To learn more about camellias, check out our complete guide: “Camellias: Planting, Pruning and Care”
How to choose a camellia based on its hardiness?
Camellias may bloom mostly in late winter, but they are generally quite sensitive to winter cold, with significant differences between varieties: some originate from cool mountainous regions of Japan, others from warmer coastal areas.
Therefore, always check the hardiness of the variety you wish to plant before ordering.
Bear in mind that in oceanic climates, all varieties will thrive. In continental areas, opt for the hardiest varieties.
Where to plant camellias?
In southern France, camellias must absolutely be planted in a shaded area, while in the north they can tolerate full sun. In any case, avoid planting them in a windy spot: the leaves would dry out from the wind and the flower buds might abort. Plant them in rich, well-drained soil, preferably with an acidic pH or neutral. Avoid placing them in poor, chalky soil.
Protect them from severe winter cold with a winter fleece and mulching at the base. During frosty periods, remember to water them at the slightest thaw or ray of sunshine: they need it to encourage sap flow.
When to plant them?
Autumn and winter-flowering camellias should be planted in spring, during April-May, after the last frosts. For spring-flowering varieties, planting is best done in autumn (September-October).
How to plant them?
Here are the steps to successfully plant your camellias:
- Start by preparing the soil by removing weeds and loosening the earth to a depth of about 30 cm. Add heather soil or compost to enrich the soil and improve its structure.
- Dig a hole about twice the size of the root ball, approximately 40 cm deep and 60 cm wide. Space the holes according to the chosen variety and the required distance between each plant.
- Place the root ball in the centre of the hole, ensuring the collar (the base of the stem) is level with the ground. Backfill the hole with the previously loosened soil, then gently firm around the plant to ensure good contact between the roots and the soil.
- Water generously after planting to settle the soil and encourage the camellias to establish. Keep the soil slightly moist for the first few weeks after planting, then gradually space out watering according to the plant’s needs and weather conditions.
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