The camellia (Chinese rose) was brought to Europe in the 18th century from the Far East. It is a beautiful shrub with large, delicate flowers that resemble roses. Its dark green, glossy leaves also remain on the shoots in winter, and flowering begins in the early spring.
Cultivation position
The lush flowering of camellia is determined by the place where we plant the bush. In its homeland it grows in bright, sun-lit forests. We should provide similar conditions for her in our garden. A semi-shaded position will be ideal, preferably under the canopy of deeply rooted trees.Camellias also feel well under the cover of a dense hedge or wall that will protect them from the wind or the scorching rays of the sun.
Planting
The Chinese rose is best planted in spring, from mid-April to mid-June. When buying, choose the most cold-resistant varieties and specimens at least four years old with woody shoots. For planting, dig a hole twice as deep and wider than the size of the root ball. We fill it with a substrate for ornamental plants and plant the camellia flush with the ground. An acidic soil should be rich in humus. If we do not buy a special mixture for camellia, we can prepare it ourselves from equal amounts of garden soil, compost and peat. It has been observed that where rhododendrons go, camellias will also grow well.
Care
These beautifully flowering shrubs don't need too much nutrients. We feed camellias only from the end of May to mid-July with a special fertilizer.We can also use preparations for rhododendrons, but we only use half of the recommended dose at a time. Always sprinkle the fertilizer onto moist soil and water it afterwards.
The condition of the camellia's lush flowering is also an evenly moistened substrate. Therefore, especially from spring to autumn, we should remember to water the bush regularly, because if the ground is too dry, the plant sheds flower buds. It is better to water it solidly once a week so that the soil is soaked with water than frequently, but sparingly, only sprinkling the soil surface. For watering, rainwater or decalcified water from the tap water is recommended.
Camellias also need moisture in winter, in frost-free periods, of course in less amounts than in summer. It is important that the roots of the shrubs are not exposed to drying out, so it is worth mulching the ground around the shrub. A layer of leaves or bark will help the plant stay moist and warm throughout the winter.
