Most camellias bloom per year just once, but that single bloom window lasts 4 to 6 weeks on each plant. The timing shifts based on which species and variety you grow. Sasanquas flower in fall and early winter while japonicas bloom in late winter and spring.
I track bloom dates on all my camellias every year. My sasanquas start opening in mid-October. The last japonica fades in April. That gives me six straight months of camellia color from planting both types. The camellia bloom cycle becomes your best tool once you pick the right mix of early and late varieties.
So how long do camellias flower on a single plant? NC State Extension says each sasanqua blooms for 4 to 6 weeks on its own. The Camellia Society puts the number even higher. They say blooming can stretch up to 2 months in warm areas. Your local climate plays a big role in how long each flower lasts.
MSU Extension lists bloom dates for popular types. Bonanza opens as early as September, ahead of the rest. Yuletide blooms from late fall into January and gives you flowers through the holidays. Plant a mix of early, mid, and late types for color from fall through winter.
You can boost the number of flowers your plant produces each year with one simple trick. Water your camellias well during July through September when the buds form inside the plant. I skipped watering during a dry August one year and my Yuletide only gave me half the flowers it made the year before. A deep soak once per week during bud set makes a huge difference in your fall flower count.
Each camellia only gets one shot at blooming per year, so you want that window to count. Feed your plants once in early spring with an acid fertilizer to fuel the next round of growth and flower buds. Keep the soil moist through summer and mulch with pine straw to hold that water in the ground. Your plant does all its bud work months before you see a single flower open.
The smartest way to stretch your camellia season is to plant 3 to 4 varieties with staggered bloom times. Start with Bonanza for early fall, add Mine No Yuki for midseason, and finish with Yuletide for winter. Then add a japonica for spring color and you'll have blooms from September through April.
I built my collection this way over five years and now have flowers in my yard for over seven months. My neighbor asked me last fall how I kept my garden so colorful while her yard looked bare. I told her the trick was picking camellias that bloom at different times so one always has open flowers. She planted three sasanquas that winter and saw her first staggered blooms the next fall.
Your camellias will give you one strong bloom show each year if you treat them right. Water well in summer, feed in spring, and pick your varieties with care. That single yearly bloom window can fill your garden with color for weeks on end.
Read the full article: Camellia Sasanqua Varieties and Care
