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Camellia oleifera (Camellia)


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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Camellia oleifera Common Name: Camellia Genus: Camellia
This small tree from China can reach a little over 20 feet tall and about half as wide. It blooms in winter or early spring, bearing single white flowers that are fragrant. Grow this elegant shrub in a border or woodland garden, as a specimen, or in a container.
Noteworthy characteristics: Small tree with scented white flowers 2 to 3.5 inches across.
Care: In the garden, grow in moist but well-drained, humusy soil with an acidic pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Mulch with leaf mold or shredded bark to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. Plant so the top of the root ball is level with the soil. Camellias need partial or dappled shade in a sheltered site. Be sure to water in dry weather and fertilize in mid-spring. Prune after flowering by trimming back shoots that are growing in unwanted directions; remove dead and damaged branches in mid-spring. Indoors, grow in an acidic potting mix in bright filtered light.
Propagation: Take 4-inch-long cuttings in late July or August and insert them into pots of coarse sand to which a very small amount of peat has been added.
Problems: Spider mites, scale, canker.
Height 15 ft. to 30 ft.
Spread 10 ft. to 15 ft.
Growth Pace Slow Grower
Light Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture Adaptable
Maintenance Moderate
Characteristics Fragrant Flowers; Showy Flowers
Bloom Time Spring
Flower Color White Flower
Uses Flowering Tree, Specimen Plant/ Focal Point
Seasonal Interest Spring Interest
Type Trees

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