Garden camellia - planting and caring for a capricious Japanese woman

Tell me if garden camellia will grow in our climate. Does the planting and caring for this flower have any peculiarities? And still very much worried about how the bush will winter in the open field. I ordered a seedling in the online store, and now I sit, worry.

A lush shrub with shiny evergreen leaves in spring, densely sprinkled with small flowers resembling roses. This is a garden camellia, planting and caring for which have their own rules. They must be strictly observed so that the capricious beauty takes root and feels great.

However, the capricious nature of this plant is manifested only in our climate. In nature, camellia grows freely and blooms vigorously in the warm climates of China and Japan. It first came to us as a houseplant or a greenhouse plant. Increased demands on heat made it impossible to grow it in gardens in the cold Russian winter. But over time, new, frost-resistant varieties appeared. They have quite adapted to our climate. And they can grow on the street if the bushes are helped a little.

In Russia, you can find garden camellia mainly in the warm regions of the Krasnodar Territory. But, using varieties with increased frost resistance, it is planted in the middle lane and even in Siberia. Most often there are different types of Japanese camellia.

Garden camellia - planting and care in the open field

Camellia belongs to the tea family and is an evergreen perennial. Grows in the form of a small tree with a lush crown or a spreading shrub. Its branches are covered with small elongated leaves all year round. They are dark green in color and have a fairly dense texture. And in the spring, charming flowers bloom among the foliage. They are simple or terry, resemble small and fully open roses.

Camellia buds and leaves are used to add to tea. They give it an original aroma and taste.

Where to plant

When choosing a landing site, do not forget that camellia loves warmth and comfort. Therefore, a place protected from the wind should be set aside for the seedling, preferably in the northeast or northwest. The bush prefers semi-shady areas where the sun's rays will not burn its foliage. In addition, the moisture necessary for the plant will stay there longer.

As for the soil, it should be fertile, slightly acidic and loose. Stagnation of water is absolutely not allowed, so you cannot plant a flower in a lowland.

Drainage must be laid at the bottom of the planting pit, and the soil itself from the hole must be mixed with the following components:

• leafy ground;
• compost;
• peat.

Features of caring for garden camellia

If you choose the right place for the shrub, it will be easier to care for it. It is advisable to mulch the near-trunk circle. Mulch will help preserve precious moisture, and also protect the root system from freezing in winter.

Further care for the garden camellia consists in the following procedures:

1. Regular watering, especially in summer. The soil under the bush should not dry out, otherwise it will begin to shed foliage and buds.
2. Periodic spraying can be carried out in spring and summer. The flower loves high humidity. But the water should not get on the buds.
3. From mid-spring to the end of summer, feed the camellia 2 times a month. Fertilizers designed for azaleas or rhododendrons are suitable for her. Only the dose must be halved - camellia does not react well to excess nutrition.There are also special preparations for this culture.
4. In late spring, when the bush fades, light pruning is carried out. It is more aimed at stimulating the growth of new branches. If necessary, sanitary pruning is carried out.

A prerequisite for growing any camellias in the garden is their shelter for the winter. The trunk circle is additionally protected with a fresh layer of mulch. And the bush itself is covered with agrofibre, placing a frame. This will allow the plant to survive the winter without problems.

Tips for growing camellias