HABIT: Dark glossy foliage with flowers from fall to early spring. Slow growing. Native to China and Japan. Over 5,000 varieties. Camelia sasanqua 'White Dove' is a good choice. Camelia japonica has larger leaves and flowers. Sasanquas are easier to grow than Japonicas. Japonicas have the largest, most showy blooms.
CULTURE: Needs loose well-drained acid soil and protection from winter winds for best performance. Filtered light is best sun exposure. Full sun in the afternoon will burn foliage. Fertilize with special camelia food starting just after blooms fade in spring. A mixture of fish emulsion, cottonseed meal, and copperas.
USES: Evergreen accent plant, border, container plant.
PROBLEMS: Scale, aphids, winter damage, iron deficiency.