Woodie's Picks: Camellias To Carry You Through Fall & Winter
As we enter the fall season and begin closing and cleaning up the landscape, our minds naturally shift toward the plants that will carry us through the colder months. While much of the garden goes dormant, it's the Camellias that keep the landscape alive with their vibrant blooms, offering a touch of color when it’s needed most.
Whether it's the fall-blooming sasanqua or the late-winter japonicas, Camellias are always at the forefront of our thoughts this time of year. Their glossy, evergreen foliage provides structure and interest, and when those blooms start to emerge, they truly brighten the landscape, adding a welcome burst of color against the muted tones of winter.
As we tidy up the beds and prepare the garden for its winter rest, we always look forward to the beauty that Camellias will bring, reminding us that even in the quietest seasons, the landscape can still be full of surprises.
Kanjiro Camellia
The Kanjiro Camellia (Camellia sasanqua 'Kanjiro') is a standout evergreen shrub, highly valued for its vibrant, deep rose-pink flowers that bloom in late fall to early winter. With its glossy, dark green foliage providing year-round structure, this camellia brings color and elegance to the garden during a time when most other plants have finished their growing season.
Growing up to 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, the Kanjiro Camellia works beautifully as a specimen plant, an accent in mixed borders, or as part of a formal hedge. Its semi-double blooms, which attract pollinators, make it a lovely addition to the landscape, offering both aesthetic appeal and ecological benefits.
In the landscape, Kanjiro Camellia thrives in partially shaded areas with well-drained, slightly acidic soil, making it an ideal choice for woodland gardens or shaded foundation plantings. It can also be used as a natural screen or backdrop for other flowering plants due to its dense foliage.
A Word From Woodie: This camellia is particularly effective when planted near entryways or patios, where its winter blooms can be enjoyed up close. Its low-maintenance nature and ability to add interest to the garden in the cooler months make Kanjiro Camellia a versatile and valuable choice for a variety of landscape settings.
Camellia Setsugekka
Camellia 'Setsugekka' is a late fall flowering evergreen shrub that adds elegance and beauty to the landscape, especially in the cooler months. Known for its large, pure white semi-double blooms with ruffled petals and golden stamens, 'Setsugekka' flowers from fall into early winter, brightening the garden during a time when other plants are dormant.
The glossy, dark green leaves provide a striking contrast to the delicate white flowers, offering year-round interest. This camellia typically grows to 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, making it an ideal choice as a specimen plant or a focal point in mixed borders. Its blooms are not only beautiful but also attract pollinators, adding ecological value to the landscape.
In terms of landscape use, 'Setsugekka' is versatile and thrives in partially shaded areas with well-drained, acidic soil. It works wonderfully in woodland gardens or as a backdrop to lower-growing perennials and shrubs. The dense, evergreen foliage also makes it suitable for creating informal hedges or screens, providing privacy while maintaining a refined appearance.
A Word From Woodie: Planted near patios or entrances, 'Setsugekka' offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy its fragrant blooms up close. Its ability to bring winter interest and classic beauty to the landscape makes Camellia 'Setsugekka' a valuable addition to both formal and informal garden designs.
April Dawn Camellia
The April Dawn Camellia (Camellia japonica 'April Dawn') is a beautiful evergreen shrub prized for its striking variegated blooms and its ability to thrive in colder climates. Blooming in early spring, its flowers feature soft pink petals with delicate white streaks, creating an eye-catching display.
This camellia grows 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, making it a versatile option for small to medium-sized landscapes. The glossy, dark green foliage provides a perfect backdrop for its showy blooms, and it retains its lush appearance year-round, offering both color and structure in the garden.
April Dawn Camellia is well-suited for shaded or partially shaded areas where it can be used as a focal point in a garden bed, a striking accent in mixed borders, or even as part of a hedge. It thrives in well-drained, acidic soil and pairs well with other shade-loving plants such as ferns and azaleas.
A Word From Woodie: The dense foliage and compact growth habit make it an excellent choice for foundation plantings, while its spring blooms bring seasonal interest to entryways or patios. Its cold hardiness and low maintenance needs make April Dawn Camellia a reliable and elegant addition to a variety of landscape designs.
Camellia Kramer's Supreme
Camellia 'Kramer's Supreme' is a customer favorite due to its large, fragrant, double red blooms, which appear from late winter into early spring. The rich, velvety texture of its flowers creates a dramatic focal point in any landscape.
Growing to about 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, 'Kramer's Supreme' provides a bold splash of color when much of the garden is still dormant. Its glossy, dark green foliage offers year-round structure, making this camellia not only beautiful during its bloom period but also valuable as an evergreen backdrop for other plants throughout the year.
Camellia 'Kramer's Supreme' thrives in partially shaded areas with well-drained, acidic soil, making it perfect for woodland gardens or shaded borders. Its upright, dense growth makes it suitable for hedges, privacy screens, or as a striking specimen plant.
A Word From Woodie: This camellia also pairs beautifully with other shade-loving plants like azaleas and ferns, adding texture and seasonal interest to shaded garden spaces. Planted near patios, entryways, or pathways, its fragrant blooms can be enjoyed up close, making it a great choice for high-traffic areas where its beauty and scent can be fully appreciated.
Conclusion
Camellias are a gardener’s gift during the off-season, effortlessly lifting the mood with their striking flowers in shades of red, pink, and white. Planted near entrances, along pathways, or in shaded corners of the garden, they bring a sense of life and vibrancy to even the coldest days.
Shop our wide range of fall and spring blooming Camellia plants online today and grow a landscape that shines year-round!