Winter Camellias That Brighten the Darkest Months!
As the garden settles in for winter, most of the color fades away, but it doesn’t have to! Sasanqua camellias are hardy evergreen shrubs that bloom from about October through February, often flowering for six weeks or more just as the rest of the yard takes a break. Their blooms are also a welcome source of nectar for the hummingbirds that stay in the Northwest through the colder months.
Yuletide is a holiday classic, with bright red blooms and golden-yellow centers that peak in December. It grows into an upright shrub of 8 to 10 feet, making it a great choice for a hedge or a colorful backdrop along a fence line.
White Doves offer ruffled, double white flowers around a small yellow center, bringing a bright, clean look to the garden on even the grayest winter days.
Pink-a-Boo, a sport of Yuletide, produces large coral-pink flowers with a light, sweet fragrance, adding a softer shade to the winter landscape.
Shishi Gashira stays compact at just 4 to 5 feet, with rosy-pink blooms from November into January. Its smaller size makes it a great fit for foundation plantings, low hedges, and containers.
Setsugekka, which translates to “snow, moon, and flowers,” produces large, wavy white blooms from November through December. It is also a bit more sun tolerant than many camellias, which makes it a versatile option for brighter spots in the yard.
Apple Blossom pairs white petals edged in soft pink with a sweet fragrance, much like the spring blossoms it is named after.
Winter camellias do best in filtered light, sheltered from cold winds, in well-drained, slightly acidic soil, which is common throughout the Northwest. Mulch around the roots, water consistently through late summer while next season’s buds are forming, and prune right after blooming so you do not remove next year’s flowers. They also grow well in large containers, making them an easy way to dress up a front porch or entry for the holidays.
A few winter camellias can keep curb appeal going all year long, and like most evergreen shrubs, they only get better with age.
Whether you’re buying a home with a garden full of potential or selling and want your curb appeal to shine through the winter, reach out anytime. I am always happy to help answer any questions you have, whether buying, selling or weighing your future options.
