Camellias
Elegant evergreen shrubs with rose-like blooms from fall through spring. A staple of Southern and Pacific Northwest gardens — they love our climate.
Camellias are the roses of the shade garden. These glossy-leaved evergreen shrubs produce stunning, layered flowers that look almost too perfect to be real — and they do it during the cooler months when the rest of the garden is quiet.
Two Main Types:
- Camellia sasanqua — blooms fall through early winter (October–December). Smaller flowers, more sun-tolerant, often fragrant.
- Camellia japonica — blooms late winter through spring (January–April). Larger, showier flowers. The classic camellia.
Why They Work Here: The Oregon coast has nearly perfect camellia conditions: mild winters, acidic soil, consistent moisture, and filtered light. They're one of the few flowering shrubs that actually prefer our climate over sunnier regions.
Planting & Care:
- Light: Partial shade to filtered sun. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal.
- Soil: Acidic (pH 5.5–6.5), rich, well-drained. Amend heavy clay with compost and bark.
- Water: Consistent moisture, especially during bud set in late summer. Don't let them dry out.
- Mulch: 2–3 inches of bark mulch. Keep it away from the trunk.
- Fertilizer: Acid-loving plant fertilizer in spring after blooming. Don't over-fertilize.
- Pruning: Right after flowering. They set next year's buds in summer.
Common Issues:
- Bud drop: Usually caused by overwatering, underwatering, or sudden temperature swings
- Sooty mold: Often from scale insects — treat the insects, not the mold
- Sunburn: Too much direct afternoon sun scorches leaves
Our Selection: We carry both sasanqua and japonica varieties. Ask us which ones are blooming — the best time to pick a camellia is when you can see its flowers. We're usually stocked from fall through early spring.