Camellias Provide Low Maintenance Color For The Season

    The stars of the Florida winter yard have got to be camellias. Their lustrous, dark green foliage is pretty by itself and very low maintenance, but the flowers that spring out in late fall, and early winter are gorgeous.
   We have pictures from Norma Semberger of St. Augustine this week. She has a lovely garden and in it is a variety of pretty camellias.
   The IFAS website has tons of information about camellias which have been stars of the southern gardens for many years. There are thousands of cultivars registers to identify the varieties people enjoy.
   The basics of growing camellias are pretty simple. Now is a good time to choose new plants because they are blooming and you can see what color they are. When you plant them, partial shade under oaks and pine trees work as they like the acid soil and they love being mulched with oak leaves or pine straw. In addition, new plants need well-drained soil, not where standing water occurs. You can feed established plants with Azalea food once or twice a year. Water during periods of drought if possible, but they can live on just rainwater, once they are established. Camellias are a good water-conscious choice for conservation.
   If you are looking forward to buying a plant for your favorite gardener this year, then consider adding a camellia to the list. They come in a myriad of colors and configurations with everything from hot pink flat single blooms to ruffled pink and white stripes fluffy flowers. There is even one small camellia that looks like it is snowing on the ground as its blossoms fade, that one is especially beautiful.
   We hope you will add a camellia to your landscape this year. They provide beautiful color in winter. Small birds like perching in their branches for cover. They are low maintenance and can grow quite large although they are slow growing.
   Please keep sending us those beautiful photos of what is growing in your garden. You are encouraging others to try their hands in the soil as well. Sharing the knowledge of what and how to grow is so helpful. Send pictures via email: hollynewby1@aol.com or share to www.thenorthlake outpost.com/contactus.