Camellia for December you wonder? Many search engines proclaim that narcissus and holly are the December birth month flower. Only problem with this selection is that neither naturally bloom in this month – while camellia does bloom in December! There is a movement afoot to replace holly, a prickly tree with red berries in December (and associated with a particular holiday), with the beautiful blooms of the colorful camellia.

I Support this Non-Native Plant

You know me – I usually advocate native plants because they are better able to stand the low humidity and high summer heat of the Southwest. But given the choice between holly (which can’t grow here) and camellia (that can) I certainly pick the camellia. Glossy deep green leaves. Showy fragrant blooms. What is not to love?!

You may find some camellias in the nurseries and garden centers about now. While they are in flower and their beauty and fragrance is very tempting.  Before you succumb to temptation, realize that these non-desert-natives will need some special care if you get one.    If you are willing to go the extra mile and pamper them, go ahead and indulge yourself.

Botany Name Nerd

Camellia is the common name for – Camellia. And you thought scientific names were hard! Most of the camellia sold in the US are varieties of Camellia japonica – from – you guessed it – Japan. 

There are well over 200 species of Camellia, including Camellia sinensis, commonly called “tea.”  White tea, yellow tea, green tea, oolong, dark tea, pu-erh tea, and black tea are all harvested from Camellia sinensis.

How to Grow Camellias in the Southwest

Soil

Camellias, along with gardenias, and azaleas, and azalea cousins blueberries, all need acid soils.   Our desert soils are alkaline.    You can treat the soil with acidifiers, or plant in pure potting soil in a container.

Once you have acidified, the problem you will face is that soils have an amazing ability to “buffer” themselves. This means that they return to their original pH quickly after any treatment.  And in potting soil – well, our water comes our of our alkaline ground, and is generally alkaline, so it will turn any potting soil alkaline over time. You will need to forever re-acidify the soil you grow these plants in.

Add Compost?

Can’t I just add plenty of compost to desert soil, you ask?    I had a friend * whose wife loved gardenias.  He dug a four foot by four foot pit into the desert soil, filled it with potting soil, and planted gardenias.  Those plants did wonderfully for the first year, but bloomed less the second year.  A soil test revealed the soil was turning alkaline.  He treated the soil with acid treatments, but those plants bloom less well every year.  With his example in mind, I advocate simply growing any acid loving plant in containers in the Southwest.

Containers

Camellias (and gardenias, azaleas, blueberries) come from cooler climates than much of the Southwest.    This is another reason to keep them in pots.    Use unglazed ceramic pots (terra cotta pots). In summer water will evaporate through the sides of the pot and help keep the roots cool – like they prefer.

Note: from here on I will just say “camellias, but same applies for gardenias, azaleas, and blueberries.

Light

Do not place gardenias, camellias, or azaleas in full sun, no matter what the label says.    Even in the winter, our Southwestern full sun with no moisture in the air is more than they can deal with.    The north facing side of the home works great.    One gardener I know grows his on the east and north sides of his home, where they get ample summer shade.

If you have a long fully shaded entry way to your home, as many homes of new construction do, consider a camellia.    They will like living in pots in this shady site, and you will welcome visitors to your home with flowers, at least part of the year. Additional benefit – since these live in pots you will not be encouraging termites by watering the soil.

Water   

These plants are from moister climates than our own.    They do best when kept moist but not soggy wet.    Once plants are established in their containers, water every three to five days in winter, daily in summer.

One aspect of water is the water in the air, or the humidity.    While camellias can tolerate our Southwest low humidity, in my experience azaleas do not survive low humidity so well.

Fertilizer for Camellias 

Use a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants.    Use a bloom fertilizer (high in phosphorous) in the month before and during flowering. Use a standard fertilizer after the bloom period is done.   Follow label directions.  Did you get my Fertilizer guide? I am reworking it a tiny bit but it should be available for sale on my classes site again soon. 

The only drawback to fertilizer is that the more you use, the faster your plant will outgrow the pot.    You may have to take your plant out of the pot, cut back roots, repot it, and also cut back some branches.    This is essentially a bonsai treatment, but camellias are shrubs and can otherwise get quite large, or even strangle themselves by becoming root-bound.      Select from dwarf varieties to avoid this problem.

Camellia Flowers   

Camellias bloom in the cooler months, but gardenias bloom as it warms up.    In nurseries, some gardenias are blooming now as they have been forced in greenhouses.    The flowers of gardenia and camellia make lovely cut flowers, but will remain more fragrant on the bush.    I am always torn between bringing beautiful flowers into my rooms or enjoying them outdoors.    I usually compromise with some of each.

If you have read this far and are still undecided about growing camellias, may I suggest growing pomegranate instead? M.L. Robinson, a top notch Horticulturist and Professor at University of Nevada in Las Vegas, calls pomegranates the “Camellias of the Desert.” He gave an inspiring talk on the topic at the Desert Green Conference in 2023. His talk was at 7 am – fairly early after a long night of too much visiting with plant nerd friends, and it was still inspiring through my sleep fog!

So pomegranates – another post for another day.

Plant What Brings You Joy

You can grow these in the Southwest if you want.  It is your yard, your time and labor, and your water bill.    Never underestimate the aesthetic function of plants.    If it brings joy into your life, you should have the plants you desire.    Life is tough enough in so many other ways, your garden should be a place for you to find ease.

* I am referring to Jim Hawk, of blessed memory.

More Plant Care

The Month By Month Guide offers tips for all of your landscape (yes even vines) in every month of the year.  I have a few copies left and am offering them to you – my loyal readers. When you buy from me you get a signed copy!

From the review:

“A great reference book is key to successful gardening in the region where you live. Arizona, Nevada & New Mexico Month-by-Month Gardening takes the guesswork out of gardening for anyone residing in the Southwest. With this book, you’ll know what to do each month to enjoy a thriving garden all year, from January to December. Chronologically organized, this guide is full of critical gardening when-to and how-to advice, along with illustrated step-by-step instructions.”

“The book’s author is Jacqueline Soule, a Tucson-based gardening expert. She knows this arid region inside and out, and she’s written several articles and books packed with her gardening advice. Arizona, Nevada & New Mexico Month-by-Month Gardening showcases Soule’s expertise in one easy-to-read guide.”

Profits from the sale of this book go to the Horticulture Therapy non-profit Tierra del Sol Institute.   Recent price increase, due to the US Postal Service price increase in July 2024.

I’m Here to Help

Be sure to ask questions if you have them! I do all this writing and blogging and posting on social media so that you will succeed with your garden goals!

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