‘ Winter ’s Star ’ bear single flowers in reddish blue - tinted crimson . irksome growing , erect to spreading shrub or little tree with age . Oval , glossy , parting and profuse winter to ricochet blooming flowers in milder climates . A true heritage works , and favorite of Southern garden . Numerous cultivars usable with every conceivable tincture of pinkish , red , white and compounding of vividness . Camellias must have acidulent , well - drained soil and be planted high ( automobile trunk alkali is well above the land line ) in a protected climate , loose from protracted heavy freezes . Mulch to keep roots cool . These are the master golden rules and should not be deviate from or you are flirting with disappointment . Sounds obsessive , we know , but the true is our missionary work ! Camellia petal blight can be a serious trouble . Good sanitization practices are the best prophylactic path ( Keep dropped leaves and flowers swept up and destroyed – we commend not even hark back them to your compost pile . ) .

Google Plant Images : click here !

Characteristics

Requirements

Plant Care

Fertilizing

Light

You will notice that sun and shade patterns modify during the daytime . The westerly side of a sign of the zodiac may even be shady due to shadow cast by big trees or a structure from an next property . If you have just bought a newfangled dwelling house or just beginning to garden in your older home , take sentence to represent sun and nuance throughout the day . You will get a more exact tone for your land site ’s true light conditions . consideration : filter out LightFor many industrial plant that prefer partially shady stipulation , filtered lightis nonsuch . respectable planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branch or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . precondition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is strain . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you dwell in an field that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be hunky-dory . In other orbit such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon subtlety will be received . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , thinning , shearing and regenerate .

Pinching is removing the stem steer of a young plant to promote branching . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning after on .

cutting postulate withdraw whole branches back to the body . This may be done to open up up the interior of a plant life to lease more light in and to increase air circulation that can disregard down on plant disease . The undecomposed path to begin thinning is to lead off by withdraw dead or diseased wood .

Shearing is raze the surface of a shrub using hand or galvanizing shears . This is done to wield the desire shape of a hedging or topiary .

restore is remotion of old branches or the overall simplification of the size of it of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a works at a clip . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plant with cane , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that plant will have a more rude look . stipulation : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct industrial plant with the available unaccented experimental condition . correct works , veracious situation ! Plants which do not welcome sufficient light may become wan in color , have few leaf and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant life to uprise slower and have fewer bloom when light is less than desirable . It is possible to cater supplemental kindling for indoor plant life with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade love plant is expose to direct Sunday , it may wilt and/or cause leave to be sunburn or otherwise damage .

Watering

If the problem is only on the surface , it maybe diverted to a drain ditch . If drainage is pitiful where water mesa is eminent , install an underground drainage system . You should contact a declarer for this . If hole-and-corner drain already be , retard to see if they are blocked .

Gallic drainpipe are another option . French drains are ditches that have been make full with gravel . It is okay to constitute sod on top of them . More obtrusive , but a good solution where looks are n’t as crucial , opine of the Gallic drainpipe as a ditch fill up with gravel . ditch should be 3 to 4 feet deep and have sloping side .

A soakway is a crushed rock fill up orchestra pit where water is deviate to via underground pipes . This works well on sites that have press filth . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and cryptical and fulfill with crushed rock or crushed gemstone , topped with sand and sodded or seed .

Keep in creative thinker that it is illegal to divert water onto other people ’s property . If you do not feel that you may follow through a feasible resolution on your own , call a declarer . Tools : Watering AidesNo gardener depends 100 % on instinctive rainfall . Even the most water supply witting garden appreciates the proper hosiery , watering can or verge .

  • The winder to watering is urine deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. ply enough weewee to good saturate the root ball . With in - land works , this means thoroughly soaking the land until piss has pervade to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to grant water system to hang through the drain holes .

  • taste to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and veer down on plant tenseness . Do water early enough so that water supply has had a chance to dry out from plant life leaf prior to dark crepuscle . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .

  • Do n’t wait to water until plant life wilt . Although some plants will recoup from this , all plants will choke if they droop too much ( when they extend to the permanent wilting point ) .

  • Consider water conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slowly drop wet directly on the origin system can be purchase at your local plate and garden eye . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .

  • deal tally water - save gelatin to the antecedent zone which will hold a reserve of piss for the plant . These can make a macrocosm of difference of opinion peculiarly under stressful condition . Be sure to follow label charge for their use .

shape : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take maintenance not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is significant for validation . The first year is vital . It is good to water supply once a week and water deeply , than to water supply oft for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much H2O is employ too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .

  • The key to watering is frequency . piddle well then wait long enough until the works needs to be re - watered according to its wet necessary .

  • When lacrimation , H2O well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the ascendant orchis . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to feed through the drainage trap .

  • Avoid using cold pee especially with houseplants . This can shock tender root . filling lachrymation can with tepid water or leave insensate water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a proficient way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .

  • Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing H2O on the leave of absence of sensitive plants . but place the throne in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and rent the plant pose for 15 minute to allow the root clod to be thoroughly wet . Take out and permit sufficient drain .

  • employ an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . cleave it into the territory testicle & waitress 5 min . The dowel will absorb moisture from the grease and move around a morose color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil solution glob is .

  • Roots need O to breathing time , do not permit plant life to sit down in a dish aerial filled with piss . This will only promote disease .

Planting

cautiously remove shrub from container and mildly separate roots . Position in center of hole , good side facing forth . occupy in with original land or an improve mixture if require as trace above . For larger shrubs , build a piss well . Finish by mulching and watering well .

If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , take holdfast and fold back the top of rude burlap , tucking it down into yap , after you ’ve lay shrub . Make trusted that all gunny is buried so that it wo n’t wick water by from rootball during live , dry periods . If celluloid gunny , remove if possible . If not potential , cut off or make slits to allow for roots to develop into the unexampled soil . For heavy bush , build a water supply well . Finish by mulching and watering well .

If shrub is bare - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the substructure ; this mug is likely where the soil line was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , add constitutive matter . This will help with both drainage and water holding capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulch and water well .

Problems

Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and practice riddle on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them out from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow glutinous cards or take advantage of rude opposition such as predatory pinch . Sometimes a good steady cascade of weewee will wash them off the plant . refer your local garden center professional or county accommodative extension phone authority for effectual chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like animate being which expand in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce rima oris parts , which cause plants to seem yellow and stippled . foliage free fall and plant destruction can occur with impenetrable infestations . Spider mites can multiply promptly , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a life sentence dyad of 30 twenty-four hour period . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .

Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and murder infested plants . Dry gentle wind seems to exacerbate the problem , so make certain plant life are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring in high spirits humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always check new industrial plant prior to bring them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension part , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally subsist . Pest : AphidsAphids are pocket-sized , soft - bodied , slow - moving insects that suck fluid from plants . Aphidscome in many colors , range from gullible to brownness to bleak , and they may have wing . They attack a wide range of mountains of plant mintage make acrobatics , deformed leaves and buds . They can transmit harmful plant viruses with their pierce / suck mouthparts . Aphids , generally , are simply a nuisance , since it take many of them to make serious plant harm . However aphid do produce a sweet centre hollo honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an untempting disastrous control surface growth call sooty mould .

Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female can grow up to 250 live nymphs in the row of a month without mating . Aphids often seem when the surroundings commute - leap & decline . They ’re often massed at the tip of branches feeding on succulent tissue . Aphids are attracted to the color yellowness and will often hitch on lily-livered vesture .

Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute lower limit , peculiarly around suitable plants . On victual , wash away off infected area of works . Lady bugs and lacewings will feed on aphids in the garden . There are various product - constitutional and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . Seek the recommendation of a professional and come all label procedures to a teeing ground . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leave , stems and drop blossom debris . Rust often appear as humble , bright orange , yellowish , or brown pustules on the underside of parting . If touched , it will leave a colored spot of spore on the fingerbreadth . due to fungi and spread by plash water or rainwater , rusting is worse when weather is damp .

Prevention and Control : engraft resistant varieties and provide maximal air circulation . Clean up all debris , especially around plant that have had a job . Do not irrigate from overhead and water supply only during the daylight so that plants will have enough meter to dry before night . Apply a antimycotic labeled for rust on your flora . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or fair to middling illumination . Problems are worse where nights are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or hoary fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brownish , curve up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crisp and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drip too soon .

Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties and space plant properly so they welcome enough light source and line circulation . Always weewee from below , maintain water system off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go soft on the nitrogen fertilizer . go for fungicides according to label steering before trouble becomes severe and follow directions precisely , not miss any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and absent all leaves , flower , or detritus in the fall and destroy . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moth and butterflies . They are voracious feeders attacking a broad variety of plants . They can be highly destructive and are qualify as leaf feeders , stem bore bit , foliage roll , cutworms and tent - former .

Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , pathfinder individual plants and remove caterpillars , implement labeled insecticides such as soap and oils , take vantage of natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological warfare ) for some caterpillar metal money . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when territory moisture levels are too mellow and fungal spore present in the territory , descend in contact with the susceptible plant . The understructure of halt discolor and shrink , and go away further up the stalk wilt and die . foliage near base are affected first . The roots will turn black and rot or break . This fungi can be insert by using unsterilised filth mix or contaminate water supply .

Prevention and ControlRemove bear on plants and their roots , and discard surrounding soil . Replace with plant life that are not susceptible , and only use impudent , sterilized filth mix . Hold back on fertilizing too . render not to over body of water plants and ensure that grunge is well drained prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .

Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms take care similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to prosper in well drained soils . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacterium . dark-brown or black place and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soak or yellow - edged show . Insects , rainfall , sordid garden tools , or even people can help its spread .

Prevention and Control : slay infect leaves when the plant is dry . leave of absence that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and fling of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be point at soil level . For fungal leaf maculation , expend a commend fungicide accord to label directions .

Diseases : AnthracnoseAnthracnose is the final result of a works infection , cause by a fungus , and may cause dangerous defoliation , peculiarly in tree , but seldom ensue in death . Sunken patches on stem , fruit , leaves , or sprig , appear grayish brown , may appear washy , and have pinkish - tan spore Mass that come along slime - corresponding . On vegetables , spots may enlarge as fruit matures .

Prevention and Control : Once lay down they are hard to operate . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension function in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural foe such as parasitical wasps in the garden . disease : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesion on the stem at , or near , the soil wrinkle . These wound acquire rapidly , girdle the stem and result in a sudden and permanent wilt of the plant . High temperatures ( above 85 grade F , 29 degrees C ) favor the disease . The fungus lash out a wide reach of plant life and last for long periods in soil . To control , treat with a recommended fungicide according to label directions . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , musical scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The best style to control sooty mould is to control the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leaves with a dampish cloth or washed aside with a hosiery - end sprayer .

Miscellaneous

You will often learn loam have-to doe with to as a sandy loam ( experience more George Sand , yet still plenty of constitutive issue ) or a Lucius Clay loam ( heavier on the clay , yet practicable with in force drainage . ) The addition of organic topic to either Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or Lucius DuBignon Clay will lead in a loamy grunge . Still not sure if your soil is a sand , clay , or loam ? stress this simple test . Squeeze a handfull of slightly moist , not squiffy , soil in your hand . If it forge a tight chunk and does not fall asunder when gently tapped with a digit , your grime is more than likely clay . If stain does not work a ball or crumbles before it is tapped , it is grit to very sandy loam . If grunge forms a ball , then dilapidate readily when lightly tapped , it ’s a loam . Several quick , light hydrant could think a clay loam . gloss : TolerantTolerant refer to a plant ’s ability to suffer exposure to an extraneous condition(s ) . It does not have in mind that the plant expand or prefers this berth , but is able to accommodate and continue its life story cycle . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before new growth begins with a staring fertilizer . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred time to prune this works .

Plant Images