Camellia Winters Star

Camellia x 'Winters Star'

Growzone: 6-10

Camellia Winters Star is a tough, very cold hardy, and reliable bloomer from the U.S. National Arboretum collection. Single, pink blooms appear over a period of four to six weeks in late autumn into early winter, creating a stunning contrast to the dark green, glossy foliage.

Size	Price	Quantity
3 GAL	$64.95

Purchase Recommended Add-ons

Espoma Bio-Tone Plus Starter Plus $14.95

Espoma Soil Acidifier $16.95

Full Description

The Camellia Winters Star is a Sasanqua variety that offers bright violet pink blooms all winter. Its single blossoms emerge in September and last through January. Camellia Winters Star needs acidic well-drained soil and should be planted high (with the trunk base well above the soil line) in a protected climate free from extended heavy freezes. Mulching helps to keep roots cool.

Does Not Ship To: AK, CA, HI, or PR

Specifications

Growing Zone:	6-10
Mature Height:	6-10 feet
Mature Width:	4-5 feet
Classification:	Broad leaved evergreen shrub, fall flowering
Sunlight:	Part Sun to Part Shade
Habit:	Evergreen, densely branched
Flower Color:	Violet pink, single flowers
Foliage:	Dark green
Soil Condition:	Any well drained soil
Water Require:	Water well until established
Uses:	Extremely attractive when used as a focal point in the mixed border, mass planting, or a specimen planting. Provides unmatched winter interest due to its flowering in the early winter

Planting Info

Planting Camellia Winters Star

We suggest when planting your newly purchased Camellia Winters Star plants that you dig a hole twice as wide as the root system but not deeper. Depending on the quality of your existing soil you may need to add a locally sourced compost or topsoil to the back-fill soil. We do not recommend using straight topsoil or compost as a back-fill soil for Camellia Winters Star because more times than not these products will retain entirely to much moisture and will cause the root system to rot. Adding compost or topsoil will help the young feeder roots of Camellia Winters Star to spread through the loose, nutrient rich soil, much easier than if you used solely the existing soil which more times than not will be hard and compacted. The most common cause of plant death after transplanting is planting the new plant to deep. That is why we do not recommend planting in a hole any deeper than the soil line of the plant in the pot. A good rule is that you should still be able to see the soil the plant was grown in after back-filling the hole. Bio-tone starter fertilizer is a great starter fertilizer that provides plants with mycorrhizae fungus. It is a naturally occuring beneficial fungus that colonizes on the new growing roots of plants. It creates a barrier between the roots of the plant and fungus and pathogens that can cause root rot. We love this product and use it on all plants we install in our own gardens. Bio-tone is a gardeners best friend and can help guarantee your success.

Watering Camellia Winters Star

After back filling and lightly compacting the 50/50 mix of existing soil and compost give the Camellia Winters Star a good deep watering. This is not to be rushed. Most of the water you put on the plant at first will run away from the plant until the soil is soaked. A general rule of thumb is to count to 5 for every one gallon of pot size. For example a one gallon pot would be watered until you count to 5 a three gallon pot would be 15 and so on. Check the plant daily for the first week or so and then every other day there after. Water using the counting method for the first few weeks. Gator bag Jr. can be used to help aid in this process and also provide plants with a good soaking due to the slow release of the water into the root-zone of the plant. Soaker Hoses can also be used to water when planting a long hedge.

A short Course on Fertilizers

When looking at most fertilizers, they are described by three numbers on the bag. An example would be 10-10-10 or 12-4-8. The first of these three numbers refers to Nitrogen, which is the primary element necessary for good, balanced growth within the plant. Plants that are deficient in Nitrogen are usually not growing vigorously, and sometimes exhibit pale colored foliage. Not all Nitrogen deficiencies result in stunted growth. Sometimes, the growth is taller and longer with less than desirable branching when Nitrogen is deficient. The second number in the fertilizer equation is representative of Phosphorus. A deficiency of Phosphorus may affect the energy transfer in the plant, and result in stunted growth as well. Also, plants with insufficient amounts of Phosphorus may have poorer root systems. Potassium is the element represented by the third number on the fertilizer bag. Plants that are deficient in Potassium, are usually growing more slowly than normal, have fewer flowers and seed, and are more susceptible to disease than plants with adequate levels of Potassium. Although the three elements just mentioned are the major elements necessary for good plant performance, there some minor elements that are just as important in consideration of camellia nutrition. Minor elements that are not included in the three numbers listing on the front of fertilizer bags are very important considerations when choosing your plants fertilizer. Elements such as Magnesium, Sulfur, Calcium, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Zinc, Boron, and Molybdenum play very important roles in providing camellias will adequate nutrition. Many times, less expensive fertilizers are sold that contain only the major elements needed, but not the minor elements. Always be sure to look on the fertilizer label on the back of the bag to see exactly what is included in the fertilizer.

FAQs

How do I mulch my Camellia Winter Star?

How do I fertilize my Camellia Winter Star?

Camellias are one of the slowest growing and yet one of the most desirable ornamentals available today. In order for camellias to give their maximum performance, certain fertilization requirements must be met. Despite their slow growth patterns, camellias are considered to be heavy feeders. In recent years, a misconception has emerged that older camellias do not need to be fertilized. The premise is based on the fact that these older and well established camellias can derive all their nutrients from their soil. Although many well established camellias perform wonderfully without being fertilized, they will do even better with a regular fertilization program.

Apply an early spring fertilizer with a product such as Espoma Tree-tone or Plant-tone at the recommended rate this will give the plant a boost of nitrogen that will be needed for healthy abundant foliage. Follow this up with a early summer application of Espoma Holly-Tone, this will provide the necessary nutrients and raise the acid level in the soil which Camellias favor. Espoma products are easy to use, just sprinkle around the base of the plant and water it in. Be careful with products such as miracle-grow as these products can burn newly planted plants when not used at the recommended rates. Slow-release fertilizer can help prevent rapid sucker growth that is vulnerable to diseases and insects.

In choosing the basic type of fertilizer for your camellia needs, it is important to determine what you need your camellias to do. If your plants are well established, and you are not concerned about more growth, choose a fertilizer that has a smaller first number, and a larger second and third number. For example, a 4-8-8 fertilizer with minor elements included would be a good choice for well established camellias. If your camellias are younger plants, and you want them to concentrate their energies on growing for a few years, you may wish to choose a fertilizer that has a higher first number such as 12-4-8 or 10-10-10. Be sure that these fertilizers have minor elements as well. No matter what fertilizer you choose, “Always Read the Label”. Do not apply more fertilizer than is recommended on the label. Organic fertilizers such as Dehydrated Cow Manure or Milorganite may provide an excellent source of slow release nutrients in addition to your primary fertilizer.

In the southeastern United States, three fertilizer applications per year are usually adequate to supply your camellias’ nutritional needs. Generally, an application sometime during the first part of March, followed by a second application during the first part of May, and a final third application during the first part of July should be sufficient for you camellia fertilization needs. Always consult your Extension Service and your local camellia experts as to specific recommendations of fertilizers for your area. If you do not have acid soil, soil tests may be necessary followed by ph adjustments. Camellias such as Camellia Winters Star generally prefer acid soils with ph readings from 5.5 to 6.8. If the ph of your soil is not correct, it may affect the ability of your camellias to absorb the fertilizer that is applied. It would not be a bad idea to have a soil sample checked with your local Extension Service before applying fertilizer.

When you have selected your fertilizer and are ready to apply it, be sure to rake your mulch back to the drip line of each plant. Apply the fertilizer according to the label directions immediately on top of the soil, and be sure to water the plant thoroughly after the application. You can then rake the mulch back around the base of the camellias. Although it is tempting to spend less time by not raking the mulch back during fertilization, the results will be less than desirable, if the fertilizer is applied on top of the mulch.

Proper fertilization of your camellias, like Camellia Winters Star will lead to healthier and more disease resistant plants, as well as provide you with many more enjoyable blooms. Always, read the label on your fertilizer bag, and follow the instructions.

How do I prune my Camellia Winter Star?

In general gardening terms, pruning is probably the most misunderstood gardening chore, and certainly, the chore that is most likely neglected. When we specifically look at pruning with regards to camellias, this misunderstanding and negligence can be magnified.

Pruning has been described as a “combination of art and science.” Pruning a specific plant to look a specific way, involves art in creating a unique definition for a specific plant, and it involves science in understanding the physical growing habits of the plant to be pruned.

The most important reason for pruning camellias is to improve the overall health of the plant. Many times, camellias that have not been pruned in a few years will develop dead or degenerative twigs. Removing the dead and dying limbs will minimize the possibility of diseases such as “dieback” and will also allow the plant to re-concentrate its energies.

In many instances, camellias that have been neglected for a number of years will become infested with insects such as scale. Severely pruning such infested camellias will not only re-invigorate the plant, but will also reduce insect problems and minimize corrective treatments necessary to eliminate such problems.

Another reason for pruning camellias is to re-define the plant’s definition within the landscape. Many times, a plant may outgrow its intended size in the landscape, and must be pruned to re-define its purpose. Pruning should always be associated with re-invigorating a plant by allowing it to focus its energies on producing more vigorous branches, foliage, and flowers.

Specific plant objectives require specific pruning techniques. If a camellia is being trained as an hedge, it would need to be pruned differently than if it were being grown as a tree form. Screenings and hedges of camellias would need to be pruned for their specific purpose within the landscape.

It is also important to understand the specific growing characteristic of a certain camellia when pruning that particular plant. For example, certain camellia varieties such as ‘Seafoam’ are extremely vigorous growers, and should not be pruned to maintain the plant as small shrub.

When pruning established camellias where no labeling is present on a variety to identify it, you need to look at the general growth patterns of the plant to be pruned. These observations should give you a good idea of how the plant tends to grow, and also how you should prune the plant.

When pruning large camellias, pruning can be a general shaping or shearing of the plants or it can be a severe pruning that significantly reduces the size of the plant. In most instances, camellias out-live the gardeners that planted them, and even though they are considered to be slow growing plants, they can become too large for specific areas of the garden.

Many times, gardeners inherit a wealth of camellias in their gardens when they purchase a previously owned residence. Although these camellias may have been lovingly cared for by the previous owner, it may be necessary to severely prune these plants to restore vigor or to create a different definition in the landscape for the new owner of the property.

Severe pruning should be done just after the plant has finished blooming. In some instances where the required pruning would be drastic, the pruning may be done towards the end of February even if the plant has not finished blooming. Severe pruning of camellias is generally thought to involve the removal of one third to one half of the existing plant. However, in some instances, this severe pruning could be even more drastic. In most cases, the plant should have no problem recovering from such a major pruning, and the pruned plant should quickly begin to grow with vigor.

If severe, pruning is necessary, it must be realized that the plant will shift its focus in the short-run from setting flower buds to growing vigorously, and it is very likely that the camellia will have few if any bloom buds during the season following the major pruning. During the second season following the severe pruning, the camellia should resume normal bud setting, and the plant should have healthier blooms because of the increased vigor in the plant.

It is important to always use sharp tools when pruning camellias. Knives, hand cutters, saws, and shears should be sharpened if necessary before pruning any camellias. A sharp cut will heal quicker than a jagged cut, which will also minimize the likelihood of disease investing a cut during pruning. It is generally recommended to not use power equipment such as gas hedgers to prune camellias.

Prune limbs flush to the feeder branches without leaving nubs. These leftover branches could eventually provide host for disease to enter your camellias. Many gardeners apply a pruning sealant or paint to all cut surfaces after pruning, but that practice is generally not necessary.

Pruning large camellias may be minor or major. Its general purpose is to maintain or restore vigor to the plant. Large camellias that have been severely pruned have the advantage of a large root system that has excessive capacity, and its roots are capable of supplying all of its energies to a smaller number of branches and foliage. This enables the plant to increase its vigor, and become healthier. Pruning large camellias that are well established will enable the plant to have continued vigor, and lead to many more years of supplying beauty to the landscape.

Reviews

Additional Information

History and introduction of Camellias

Today there are recognized over 200 different species of Camellia – all native to the Orient. The Camellia is known in Japan as Tsubaki. For many centuries, before the westernization of Japan, the native tsubaki or “tree with shining leaves” held a special place in Japanese thought. It was a belief of the Shinto religion that the gods in spirit form made the flowers of the tsubaki their home when on an earthly visit. Plantings of the tsubaki were an essential feature of temple gardens, graveyards, and other areas associated with the religious life of the community. Today, many old varieties of camellia may be found in the old temple compounds of Japan. Camellias are not as popular as cut flowers in Japan because they are associated with “beheading”. The camellia blossom often falls off the plant in its entirety, symbolic of a man’s head being cut off.The total number of named camellia varieties is believed to be as high as 20,000, although this figure is constantly increasing. The International Camellia Society published the International Camellia Register, an accumulation of over thirty years of research. This multi- volume book contains all but the latest camellia varieties from all countries of the world.

The most popular camellia throughout the world is often not even recognized as a member of this family. This plant is Camellia sinensis, better known as the tea plant. The word tea comes from the Chinese Amoy dialect for the word t’e. Tea is better known in China and Japan as ch’a from the Cantonese dialect. Tea first became popular in China during the reign of the Emperor Nung around 1700 B.C. During the period of trade, the East India Company brought tea from China to Europe where it became very popular. It may have first arrived in London in 1650, where it was known as Tay or Tee.

Tea quickly became a part of life and was known as “the cup that cheers but does not inebriate”. After tea became so universally popular, the government decided to place a tax on it which led to the Boston Tea Party and later to the American Revolution. So you might say that a camellia was the origin of the Revolution which created the United States as a separate country from Great Britain.

It is generally agreed that the Camellia japonica arrived in London aboard a boat of the East India Company. Tea was brought to Europe aboard boats of the East India Company from China. Officials tried to bring tea plants to England for propagation, but either by mistake or on purpose, plants of Camellia japonica were sent by the Chinese instead. The first japonica was growing in England some time before 1739 in the greenhouse of Lord Petre. Since that time, this has become the most popular of the ornamental camellias, with thousands of varieties having been named.

The Camellia was named by Linnaeus in honor of a Jesuit priest serving in the Philippines – Joseph Kamel. He probably never saw any plants, but this is not really known. Of the approximately 200 species of camellia known today, only a few are grown in the United States for their ornamental value.