The camellia is one of the few plants that bloom in winter. However, this does not mean that it is not sensitive to frost. Although low temperatures are required for flower development, it must not be too cold either. At least not if you have not taken adequate protective measures for the winter. Find out here how to get your camellia safely through the winter.

The camellia blooms in winter, but should still be protected

Signs of a location that is too cold

  • foliage discoloration
  • flower shedding
  • Temperatures below - 12°C

Winter protection for the camellia- various options

Winter protection for potted plants

Kept in a pot, the camellia does not require much effort in terms of overwintering. Due to its mobility, it is easy to bring the plant indoors as soon as the first night frosts threaten. Make sure that the camellia gets an adequate supply of light in its winter quarters. You should avoid drafts. Temperatures between 0°C and 12°C are ideal.

Winter protection for free-range husbandry

Protect your camellia from the wind and the morning sun. A garden fleece is best suited for this. A layer of mulch insulates the root ball from the cold.

Note: Young plants need more intensive winter protection than camellias that have been outside for a longer time.

care in winter

If you do not allow your camellia to rest at the appropriate times, the six-week flowering period will be noticeably reduced. Therefore, note the following things:

  • water only on frost-free days
  • Temperatures below 12°C
  • Humidity of 60°C (spray daily with lime-free water)
  • hardly any light exposure from December to February
  • Put the camellia in a lighter location from March (not outdoors yet)

Note: Do not put the camellia outside until after the ice saints. Late frosts can also occur in a comparatively warm spring.

Robust varieties

You want to keep a camellia outdoors without having to put in too much work into winter protection. The following breeds can handle cold temperatures better:

  • Camelia japonica 'Ice Angels'
  • Camelia japonica 'Winter's Joy'
  • Camelia japonica 'Black Lace'
  • Camelia japonica 'Alba Plena'
  • Camelia japonica 'April Dawn'
  • Camelia japonica 'Barbara Morgan'
  • Camelia japonica 'Bonomiana'
  • Camelia japonica 'Matterhorn'
  • Camelia japonica 'Nuccio's Gem'
  • Camelia japonica 'Wheeler'

Note: So-called HIGO camellias are even less susceptible to frost. Check with your nursery.

Category:

Vegetable garden