Isn't it incredible?
In the middle of the dull and dreary November, on days when it doesn't really get bright, the flowers of the autumn-flowering camellias (Camellia sasanqua) shine in white, pink or red and bring color and joy to the surroundings at this time of year rather barren garden.
Similar to their famous cousins, the Camellia japonicas, the fall-blooming camellias have three different blooming times. A distinction is made between early, medium and late-flowering varieties and with three different varieties you can always have a blooming camellia in your garden from September/October to January. And then the japonicas start to bloom.
What care do camellias need in November?
You should now ensure proper winter protection. For planted camellias, this means covering the root area well with a 20cm layer of dried leaves, pine mulch and spruce branches. This not only protects against frost, but also provides natural nutrients.
The first ground frosts can occur in November. Beforehand, it is important to water the camellias adequately to give them good frost protection. Freezing is also a drying process and well-watered camellias survive the frosty winter better.
For camellias in a pot, the root area should also be well mulched and the pot should be packed well, e.g. with coconut mats or burlap. Plastic wrap is unsuitable. You should generally avoid using saucers so that the camellias don't get their feet wet. A 5cm thick Styrofoam plate, which can be cut so that it does not protrude from under the pot, protects the root area well from ground frost. When watering, you need to be careful: the soil must not dry out, but it must not be soaking wet. A camellia that is still sitting in its thin plastic plant container has no winter protection at all and must be transplanted into a thick-walled clay or plastic pot.
Even if the camellias have so many flowers and buds, you are not allowed to fertilize them at this time of year. This is only necessary when new growth begins after flowering in the frost-free spring.
Now it's time to get out into the garden and enjoy the wonderful flowers of the autumn-blooming camellias!
Pictured is: Camellia sasanqua “Maiden Blush”
