The Yuletide Camellia is an evergreen shrub that blooms in the winter. The leaves are shiny green, and the flowers are pinkish red with bright yellow centers. Plant a group of them to form a hedge to add color to the landscape during winter. The flowers bloom in the late fall and early winter.
Here are some care tips to ensure that your Yuletide Camellia will grow strong and healthy.
Light
This plant does best in partial sun with mostly shade, which means four to six hours of sun a day, including a few afternoon rays.
Size
Yuletide Camellia grows to nearly 5 feet high and 8 feet wide. When creating a border or hedge, space the shrubs 6 to 8 feet apart.
Soil
Camellias prefer well-drained and moderately moist soil, though they can tolerate some sand or clay. They have a strong preference for rich, acidic soils.
Watering
It is best to water when the top three inches of soil are dry. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in both summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect it in exposed locations. Camellias become more drought-tolerant once established.
Fertilizer
Fertilize with azalea and camellia food once a year in spring at the beginning of the growing season.
Pruning
This is a relatively low maintenance shrub and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season’s flowers. Flower buds first develop in the summer, so avoid pruning in the latter half of the year to preserve your blooms.
Blooms
The single blooms of ‘Yuletide’ camellias appear in the winter months usually from late November through January. Individual flowers last just a few days before they drop, but camellia buds may open successively, putting on a show for several weeks. Freezing temperatures can sometimes cause buds and flowers to drop prematurely; covering the plant with a sheet before a hard freeze may help.
Yuletide Camellias are a wonderful addition to any landscape for color in the winter. Their shiny green leaves stay on the plant all year and are low maintenance. Call the professionals at Integrity Tree Care with any questions about your landscape.