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Camellia

Common Name: Camellia

Scientific Name: Camellia japonica

Type of Plant: Shrub

Description: Camellias have been a part of the southern landscape for almost 200 years. They are native to Asia and were introduced into the U.S. near Charleston, South Carolina in 1786. Camellias flower in the fall and winter when their display of colorful blooms is most appreciated. During the remainder of the year their evergreen foliage, interesting shapes and textures, and relatively slow growth make camellias excellent landscape plants.

Mature Size: 6′ tall x 6′ wide.

Blooms: Fall, Winter

Fruit:  No

Climate Requirements: Most camellias will perform best if you plant them in a sheltered location where they receive partial shade. Camellias should be planted in a well-drained, preferably acidic soil and be watered regularly for the first year until they’re established. After that can typically survive on rainfall alone, though they’ll perform better if irrigated during dry spells.

Care Requirements: Any pruning should be done before late summer when the flower buds form.

Spacing: Space plants 36-48″ apart

Water Needs: Average

Maintenance: Low

Special Uses/Attributes: Camellias are tough, evergreen shrubs. If planted and cared for properly, they rarely develop serious disease problems, but they can be bothered by a few pests including tea scale, aphids, and spider mites.  Camellias are generally considered to be deer-resistant.

Florida Native: No

Shrubs

Pittosporum (Regular and Variegated)

variegated-pittosporum1 variegated-pittosporum2

Scientific Name:   Pittosporum and Pittosporum Tobira ‘Variegata’
Type of Plant:  Shrub
Description:     Round and compact shrub with shiny, dark green oval shaped leaves. Top of the leaves are darker than underside.
Variegated: pale green and cream colored oval shaped leaves
Height:     3-4’
Width:     3-4′
Blooming:     Yes, yields small flowers in late spring that smell similar to citrus blooms
Fruit:  Pear shaped pods
Climate Requirements:     Heat tolerant, cold tolerant and drought tolerant once established.
Grows great in sun or shade, and requires less watering
once established.
Care Requirements:     Very low maintenance.
Special Needs:     Does not like overly wet soil and is prone to aphids and fungal scale. Can easily be treated with pesticides.
Special Uses/Attributes:     Grows up to four feet tall if grown in shade, if grown in full sun they will remain shorter.
Fast growing, but slows down once close to maturity. Very low maintenance and extremely manageable.
Florida Native:     No

Shrubs