October 2009 Plant of the Month —
Hardy Fall-blooming Camellias

Some fall-blooming camellias, such as 'Winter's Star', are reliably hardy as far north as USDA Zone 6. (Photo by J. Reeves.)
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Submitted by Matthew Morrow   

JACKSON, Tenn. — Autumn has officially fallen. Nothing save the highest achievements of our arts can even hope to rival the rich earth tones with which the trees will soon grace us. The kaleidoscope display need not end if you plant your landscape for fall color.

You can always plant pansies, but have you considered a fall-blooming camellia? These evergreens are sure to supply you with the color fix that you crave, but the lustrous green foliage and pleasingly manageable shape also provide architectural interest, or can become a serviceable foundation planting along a woodland border. Fall bloomers may grow to be six 6 to 10 feet in height and about as wide.

Camellias of old were famous for their lack of winter hardiness, but the group known as the Ackerman Hybrids buck that trend. Being reliably hardy as far north as USDA Zone 6, this group is better equipped to handle the cold. Plant them in well drained, slightly acidic soil and water them as needed in summer and in times of drought. They prefer a bit of shade (pine tree shade is great), although some can be observed thriving in full sun. They also need protection from dry winter winds.

Bloom time will depend on the cultivar, but blooms may appear in October and last several weeks. Some varieties will bloom into December. Flowering can also vary depending on environmental factors such as sun, soil condition and water. The blooms have a tendency to drop their petals separately, making the flower last a bit longer than it would otherwise. This habit also keeps litter from accumulating so noticeably on the ground below. Be aware that a hard freeze can burn the blooms thus shortening their majesty.

More than 20 cultivars of fall bloomers are available. Ackerman fall-blooming varieties can easily be distinguished by the inclusion of words like 'Snow', 'Winter’s’, 'Frost’ or ‘Ashton’ in their names. Some varieties have been verified as hardy to -20 degrees, including 'Winter's Star', with large violet pink single blooms. 'Winter's Beauty' is compact and upright with shell pink blooms and a lighter pink center. 'Winter's Charm' has columnar growth and peony-like lavender pink blooms. 'Winter's Hope' and 'Winter's Interlude' are both fairly vigorous and upright, the first having semi-double white blooms and the latter a bright pink anemone form.  'Snow Flurry' boasts the ability to bloom heavily at an early age. The full peony to anemone white blooms pop out as early as September.

For novelty enthusiasts 'Winter's Rose' is a very slow-growing but dense semi-dwarf form that boasts small leaves as well as flowers. This shell pink bloomer is sought after for Bonsai purposes, but there is no law which states that you must perform such an excruciating procedure upon it. No matter which cultivar you choose, you will enjoy them throughout the season.

For more information on the hardy Ackerman’s as well as early spring bloomers check out the following Web sites: 
http://camellia-ics.org/_ics/ackerm1.htm  and http://www.usna.usda.gov/Newintro/camelli1.html

Matthew Morrow is a member of the horticulture team at the UT Gardens in Jackson. The University of Tennessee Gardens located in Knoxville and Jackson are part of the UT Institute of Agriculture. Their mission is to foster appreciation, education and stewardship of plants through garden displays, collections, educational programs and research trials. The gardens are open during all seasons and free to the public. For more information see http://utgardens.tennessee.edu/

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Contact:
Matthew Morrow, UT West Tennessee Research and Education Center, 731-424-1643

Patricia McDaniels, UTIA Marketing and Communications Services,
615-835-4570

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