Camellia

Origins Far East
Type Perennial (evergreen)
Hardiness Zones 7 - 9
Bloom Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer, depending on species, and location
Height approx. up to 12 ft (3.6 m)

Cultivation
Best in semi-shade. Camellias
like rich, moist soils, perfect in woodland garden setting.

Pruning is not essential, but can be done to promote vigorous growth, and blooming. Sometimes, weak, and inferior looking growth is also pruned, to prevent disease. Best, prune after blooms fade away, and before the tree begins to form new growth, usually till the end of June. Remember, -remove last year's growth, only. Do not prune any, new growth; it will produce flowers in incoming year, -so keep it, if you want to see any flowers, next season.

Propagation
By seeds (sow in late Spring). By cuttings (take these at the beginning of July).

Other
Hundreds of different species, all absolutely gorgeous. Camellias have great foliage, and delicately fragranced blooms. They make great Spring garden highlight.
Leaves, seeds, and essential oils are used in production of beverage, health, and beauty products, notably, tea.
That good old tea, most of us enjoy, daily, is actually made from Camellia (sinensis) leaves. Steamed
and dried leaves make green tea, and fermented, and dried ones make black tea. Tea extract is sometimes used as flavoring for cooked foods, both home scale, and commercially.
Medicinally, it may be worth remembering, that too much strong tea does not help if you happen to have problems with constipation. Externally, tea is good for giving rest to tired, and sore eyes. Green tea (particularly) is believed to have good, calming effect on people with "hyperactivity", and "concentration" problems.

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References - Find more about: Hardiness Zones
Special Thanks
Special Thanks to Town & Country Gardens Contributors: Chris Gladis / CC 2.0, dive-angel (Karin), flickr, Jasmine&Roses, Rita Crane Photography. Rita Crane, daughter of LIFE magazine photographer Ralph Crane. Her work can be seen on Flickr at Rita Crane Photography or on her website., TMR Davies, W.D. Williams

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