When to Fertilize Magnolias and Camellias
Camellias have bright and showy flowers, but need little in the way of fertilizer.
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No landscape is complete without the presence of trees. Broadleaf evergreens, like magnolias and camellias, add even more interest, and are beloved for their glossy, year-round foliage and their habit of putting on a show of flowers when nothing else seems to be in bloom. It stands to reason that fertilizer will help these garden kings look their best, but be careful – magnolias and camellias in particular have peculiar feeding requirements.
About Magnolias
Though most people are familiar with the sprawling southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), the genus is comprised of over 80 species ranging from trees to small shrubs. Most have large, fragrant flowers, though not all are evergreen. Southern magnolia is prized for its stately size, large, dark-green leaves with bronze undersides, and deeply perfumed flowers. It grows between US Department of Agriculture (USDA) hardiness zones 7 through 10. Other popular species include star magnolia (M. kobus var. stellata) and saucer magnolia (M. x soulangiana), both hardy between USDA zones 5 through 8. Sweetbay magnolia (M. virginiana) is a semi-evergreen native species, hardy from USDA zones 5 through 9.
Fertilizing Magnolias
Typically, native tree species should need little to no fertilizer, especially after becoming established. Some soils are deficient in essential nutrients, however, and magnolias will benefit from an occasional light feeding. A soil test will reveal the exact components of your particular growing area. Choose a fertilizer, such as 10-10-10 or 8-8-8, or one that has an even balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Newly planted trees need only a cup of fertilizer sprinkled around the perimeter of the planting hole in early spring, late spring and mid summer in the first year, two cups in the second year and four cups in the third year. No additional fertilizer should be needed by the magnolia's fourth year. Avoid fertilizing at all in the fall, since it encourages new growth that could be killed off by unseasonable frosts.
About Camellias
Native to Asia, camellias have especially high status in the southern United States because of their full-figured flowers that bloom in winter and early spring. Flowers occasionally are fragrant, but are more notable for the dozens of petals that unfurl from each flower in colors from white to pink and red, and even variegated. The majority of ornamental camellias are one of two types: the common camellia (Camellia japonica) and the sasanqua camellia (C. sasanqua). Both groups grow well between USDA zones 7 and 9, though cold-hardy varieties can survive winters through zone 6. While these shrubs rarely require fertilizer, they do need a shady, well-drained spot in which to grow.
Fertilizing Camellias
Unlike roses, which like a sprinkling of bonemeal at planting time, a camellia should never have fertilizer waiting for it at the bottom of its planting hole. If you must feed your camellia, choose a balanced fertilizer, such as 8-8-8 or 10-10-10, and apply in early spring, and then again in mid spring and mid summer, but only at the rate of about a tablespoon per foot of plant height. Slow-release fertilizers only need to be put down twice, once in spring and again in summer. More important than fertilizing is watering. Newly planted camellias need at least an inch of water per week in their first year, and extra in the summer if rain is below seasonal averages.
University of Florida: Magnolia Grandiflora
University of Florida: Magnolia Kobus var. Stellata
North Carolina State University: Magnolia Virginiana
University of Illinois: Saucer Magnolia
Clemson Cooperative Extension: Magnolia
University of Georgia: Growing Southern Magnolia
North Carolina State University: Camellia Culture
University of Georgia: Camellia Culture for Home Gardeners
University of North Carolina: Camellia Japonica
University of North Carolina: Camellia Sasanqua
United States National Arboretum: Camellias: Expanding Their Territory
Michelle Z. Donahue has worked as a journalist in the Washington, D.C., region since 2001. After several years as a government and economic reporter, she now specializes in gardening and science topics. Donahue holds a bachelor's degree in English from Vanderbilt University.
Z., Michelle. "When to Fertilize Magnolias and Camellias." Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/fertilize-magnolias-camellias-69635.html. Accessed 20 January 2020.
Z., Michelle. (n.d.). When to Fertilize Magnolias and Camellias. Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/fertilize-magnolias-camellias-69635.html
Z., Michelle. "When to Fertilize Magnolias and Camellias" accessed January 20, 2020. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/fertilize-magnolias-camellias-69635.html
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