Baltimore Opera Company

Study Guide

La Traviata

Camellias

Camellias are cherished by garden lovers the world over. We cannot help but be enchanted by those perfectly formed, iridescent blossoms in all shades of pink, red and pure white and those beautiful shrubs that grow in the shady, cool areas of our gardens. We are fascinated to learn the wonderful names of the many hybrids and cultivars developed over the last century. We love to drink tea—yes, the tea plant is a camellia ( Camellia sinensis) and so very important in our daily lives.

The native habitat of the camellia is China where the plant grew to perfection in the misty valleys with damp soils and shady conditions. To the ancient Chinese, the camellia was a treasured favorite: a beautiful plant to contemplate in the garden or forest, to admire as floating blossoms in a bowl of water, or to paint its elegant and refined blooms.

Camellias were not known in the West until the mid-eighteenth century. As trade opened up the Orient, more varieties became available to European gardeners who eagerly sought every new color and shape and who quickly developed new cultivars and hybrids. Camellias were introduced to the United States at the end of the eighteenth century. While at first they were grown in greenhouses in the colder climate areas of Boston , New York and Philadelphia , camellias soon became favorites in Southern gardens where soil conditions and climate are so similar to their native habitat. Camellias also grow well in the Pacific Northwest .

The camellia is a large, evergreen and stately shrub with glossy, dark green foliage. Though the plant is attractive throughout the year, the key feature is the blossoms appear between September and March. This makes these shrubs especially valuable at the time of year when there is little color in our gardens otherwise. With their native roots in Southeast Asia, however, camellias are very cold sensitive and this limits their outdoor use to the area below the Mason-Dixon Line . Newer cultivars are being developed which will be able to grow successfully in the colder areas of the country. As greenhouse plants, camellias are magnificent year round plants in all parts of the United States .

While there are more than 200 species of camellias, most of these are grown by specialist nurseries and botanical gardens or arboreta. Of the varieties available to the hobby gardener, two major groups are recognized with distinct growth habits and bloom styles. The sasanqua camellias bloom in the fall and have a bushy appearance. These shrubs bloom profusely with smaller blossoms. They are quite sun tolerant and not as cold hardy as the japonica camellias. These latter camellias bloom in late winter or very early spring and their blooms are real show pieces. Japonicas need more shade and they grow taller than the sasanquas. A good collection of camellias should include a few choice specimens of both groups to show the contrast and beauty of both types of these wonderful bloomers.

All camellias need moist, well-drained acidic soils. The shrubs are shallow-rooted and should be mulched to a depth of three inches with an organic mulch such as pine needles, leaves or pine bark chips. Fertilizer should be applied regularly between March and September to encourage strong growth and better blossoms. Watering is a key factor to successful growth and this must be supplied to plants on a regular basis. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are very effective ways to supply adequate moisture at the root zone while keeping foliage dry. Camellias do not need a lot of pruning and most shrubs can be allowed to grow naturally. Pests and diseases can be kept in check with good growth and good air circulation around the plants. Spent flowers should be picked off the plants and not be allowed to litter the soil surface below. Watch for scale insects and spider mites and treat if necessary. Give plants in exposed locations some winter protection with extra mulch and barrier protection such as burlap or plastic covers.

The camellia will always be cherished for its delicacy and perfection of flowers—indeed, Alphonsine Duplessis, the original “Lady of the Camellias”, was known to always have one adorning her person. With the rose, these flowers will remain as true symbols of love and purity. Alas. ..these perfect beauties have no scent.

Jane Baldwin

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