Before our first brief snowstorm in January, I noticed that our camellia shrubs were covered with buds. After the second heavier snow in February, I discovered that many buds had frozen and dropped to the ground. “Well, that’s it,” I thought, “no camellia show this year.” Last week, I discovered that new buds had appeared and opened and are offering a dazzling display of red and pink blossoms.
I had forgotten that all species of camellia tend to drop buds because the plants set more buds than they can open. A sudden cold spell, drought, and overwatering can cause bud drop, so it pays to be aware of water and temperature conditions if sudden bud drop occurs.
Camellias are slow-growing broadleaf evergreen shrubs or small trees, native to eastern Asia and India, but cultivated in the southern United States since the late 18th century. As many as 250 species may exist, with more than 2000 cultivars registered by the American Camellia Society. In our region, Camellia japonica and Camellia s...