Camellia Mania!!

The camellias are in bloom and it’s time to select them while they are blooming and plant them while the weather is still cool.  Better than fussy roses, and more long-lived than most shrubs, camellias are queens of the southern garden.

Pink Perfection

     General info:  Camellias are lovely evergreen shrubs or small trees which come originally from China.  The two major types of camellias that are commonly seen in gardens are c. japonica and c. sasanqua.  Japonicas have larger, shinier leaves and larger flowers than sasanquas, and bloom in the spring.  Sasanquas bloom fall – winter, and can take more sun.  Otherwise, the care instructions are the same.  Most camellias do not have a fragrance, although some scented hybrids have been developed in the last several years.   Camellias may live for more than a century.

      There are six commonly recognized flower forms:  single form, semi-double, anemone form, peony form, formal double form, rose form double (flower opens to reveal stamens).

     They can be used as single specimen focal points, or as a privacy hedge when planted close together, and can also be trained as an espalier.  Small varieties can be used as a ground cover.

Marie Bracy

      Planting:  Choose a planting site with well-drained soil and a pH of 4.5 - 6.5.  Partial or dappled sunlight, or afternoon shade is best.  Filtered shade under pines is considered ideal.  Do not plant where shade trees with shallow root systems will compete with camellias for nutrients and water.

      Dig a hole at least two feet wider than the root ball.  Rough up the root ball if tight, to allow better penetration into the soil.  The top of ball should be slightly above soil level.  After planting, water well and mulch with straw or other organic matter.

     Fertilizing/Watering: Soak once a week during dry weather, but camellias don’t like ‘wet feet’.  Once well-established, they do not require a lot of water.  They will live without fertilizer, but will perform much better if fed on a regular schedule.  Fertilize with an ‘acid’ type fertilizer in March, May, and July.

     Pruning:  Pruning can be done to re-shape as needed or to invigorate an old plant.  Pruning should be done after blooming, but before new buds have developed.

Japonica Varieties that we have now:

Blood of China: Deep salmon red, medium sized flower with compact growth habit.

            Carter’s Sunburst: (variegated) Spectacular, double, medium pink blooms streaked with deeper pink. Flowers range from semi-double to peony forms to formal doubles on the same plant.

            Debutante:  Large peony form blooms are a clear light pink.

            Don Mac:  semi-double dark red, crepe-like flowers are exquisitely ruffled and feminine. Each semi-double bloom has a yellowy crown of stamens in the center.

            Dr. Tinsley:  This variety looks more like a wild rose than a camellia. The semi-double blooms are soft pink with deeper shaded edges.

Professor Charles Sargent

            Kramer’s Supreme: Very large red blooms are lightly fragrant and arrive in early spring. It has a very strong upright habit.

            Laura Walker: (variegated) The large blooms are bright red with an anemone form and a small amount of white marbling. It is a vigorous grower with a narrow, compact habit.

            Morning Glow: White double flowers with overlapping petals and no visible pollen anthers in the center.  Slow growing, but a vigorous plant.

            Pink Perfection:  Pale pink, formal double type with petals that overlap and contain no stamens.

Prince Eugene Napoleon: Dark rose to red color, it has formal double flowers and is known by many other names, including 'Pius IX', 'Rubra Plena', 'Imbricata' and 'Ladiner's Red'.

Professor Sargent:  Dark red peony flowers and a vigorous, care free growth habit. This selection has abundant and prolonged flowering.

            White Empress: Very large, semi-double white flowers with bright yellow stamens



Sasanqua Varieties that we have now:



Bonanza



            Bonanza: semi peony form; deep red with yellow stamens; stays small



Cotton Candy:  Dense, spreading evergreen shrub with relatively large semi-double pink flowers, scented and ruffled and with a lot of petaloid stamens.

Kanjiro:  Cerise pink, gold stamens, semi-double form

Shishi-Gashira:  The amazing magenta pink of the flower petals have lively yellow centers look like little pompoms and pop against the gleaming green foliage.

Stephanie Golden:  Hot pink semidouble with yellow anthers & filaments.

Yuletide:  Small, single, brilliant fiery red blooms are centered with bright yellow stamens. It features an upright habit and blooms around Christmas.

Bringing Back the Quality

Many people seem to think that not much is going on at the Garden Center in January, but that is simply not true. As a matter of fact, this month is buzzing with fruit tree sales, and for a good reason. People are starting to realize that landscapes are not just for looks anymore, they can also reap some major returns and benefits. Families are realizing how disconnected we have become with high quality, tree ripened fruit. Sadly, we now have multiple generations that have never had the opportunity to taste tree ripened fruit, and we wonder why adults and children just don’t like eating fruit anymore. The good news is that, because of the information age, people are realizing that growing fruit at home is not some long lost art. You don’t need a Doctorate to successfully grow fruit. This is something we have been doing since God created us.



Pommegranate fruit and flower



One of the major problems with the modern day commercial fruit system is that we have had to breed varieties that are shippable, and have really put quality on the back burner. Many types of fruit you buy in the stores today simply have  no flavor because they are picked premature and hard, stacked massively on top of each other, shipped and then shelved. The end result is a bland, nutrient deficient idea of what fruit are supposed to taste and be textured like. In tree ripe production, the fruit is allowed to fully ripen on the tree, providing superior nutrition, flavor, sugar content and a much more appeasing texture.

 

'Santa Rosa' Plum beginning to bloom



People have the misconception that edibles and ornamentals don’t go with each other. Whether you have a tiny yard downtown or a huge farm out in the country, edibles can be used in your landscape. Edibles can be just as beautiful as ornamentals, and will tie in to any landscape. Most landscapers and homeowners never grasp the concept of an edible landscape. Blueberries can make the most beautiful hedge with brilliant fall color. 

Persimmons are fun to take pics with!

Muscadines (grapes) or kiwis make beautiful vines on trellises or arbors. Peaches, plums, nectarines, apples and many  other kinds of fruit trees have just as many blooms as dogwoods and flowering cherries. They are some of the most beautiful spring flowering trees you will ever see. How about some Asian persimmons for fall interest with their stunning fall leaf color and beautiful orange-red fruit hanging on the tree in November? That would compete with any maple you have ever seen. 

  

Another major benefit to back yard orchard culture is the opportunity to fellowship with family and creation. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “I simply do not have time in my busy life.” While this may be true, I would first tell you that there are many types of fruit trees you can grow successfully with minimum care: mulberries, blueberries, blackberries, pecans, chestnuts, muscadines, pawpaws, Asian persimmons, figs and many others. Secondly, I would ask you, “At what cost?” Families have become so disconnected with the opportunity to get outside to enjoy fresh air and be stewards of the land with purpose and fellowship. Working in the yard, orchard or garden is more than just keeping it nice or growing your own high quality food. It is the opportunity to have a healthier family and life.

'June Gold' Peach begining to bloom

This can all seem overwhelming at times, but we now have access to studies and articles that allow us to see why it is so important to take some of these concepts into consideration. We are looking back at where we came from, where we are, and where we need to go. The edible landscape is not some new idea; it is something we have lost touch of. People are starting to realize the importance and purpose behind it, and we are seeing a transformation take place. Back yard orchards are a part of the future and definitely for a good reason.

Merry Christmas!

              Beautiful displays of pansies, kale and cabbage line yards and entryways. Sasanquas are in full bloom while camellias are starting to bloom. Hollies are loaded with red berries, giving that lovely holiday look. The last of the leaves are falling while winter flowering plants are starting to bloom in full force, and Christmas is upon us.

Winter can be a stunning time of flowers and color if your landscape is balanced properly. Now is a great time to look at those dynamics of winter interest in your yard to see what can be done to make your landscape more appealing during the winter months. Remember, in our planting zone, fall and winter are the best times of the year to plant hardwood shrubs and trees.

           

Evaluate your yard for winter interest, and tie up any loose ends on that fall check-list. It’s time to get the last of the work load done so you can sit back and enjoy Christmas. Clean up the last of the leaves, pine straw if it’s not done yet, and put up some Christmas decorations. If you haven’t finished your fall yard chores yet, you are not too late, especially with this warmer weather. Be sure to set your irrigation to once a week, and the start time to during the day. By the end of December, we usually start to get enough rain in combination with cold weather that you can turn your system entirely off.

           

Now you can enjoy the holidays and the simple things in life. If there is anyone you’ve been putting off calling or visiting, now is a great time to do so. Think of those family members and friends that truly mean a lot to you, yet life has somehow put you out of touch. Whether it’s from moving away, working too much, or even a past disagreement, don’t put it off any longer. Time is flying by and will not stop for anyone.

         

Let’s also not forget what Christmas is all about. It’s not about who gets or gives the best gift, or who has the fanciest Christmas party. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, and spending time with family and friends. It’s about coming together and helping those who might not be as fortunate as you and I. Let’s try not to lose track and miss the true enjoyments of this time of year. From our home to yours- God Bless and Merry Christmas!

November is here, Time to buckle-down for Winter

            We here at Wise Nurseries are excited to bring you the first of many newsletters to come! Our newsletters will keep you posted on seasonal garden and yard tips, along with what’s going on at the Garden Center.

           

November is the month you will want to prepare for winter in your yard. If you have any perennials, citrus, bananas or tender, tropical plants, mulch them heavily after the leaves have fallen off any surrounding trees, but before the first heavy frost. This way, you don’t have to be worried about cleaning leaves off your freshly spread mulch or pine straw. This method will make life easier for you, especially if you are putting out a large amount of pine straw or mulch to get your place ready for the holidays.

           

Do not trim your perennials back until they are well frost bit. Keep dead heading your mums as they brown out, and they will continue to bloom until first frost. If you cover them during the first few light frosts (depending on the weather this year), you can keep them blooming until a hard freeze.

As far as pruning evergreen shrubs that are still overgrown, it is a good idea at this point to NOT trim them until spring. Trimming now will promote tender new growth that will get frost bit and severely damaged during a freeze. The prime time to trim deciduous plants and trees will come later in the winter.  

           

If you did not put a time-released fertilizer in the ground when you planted pansies, cabbage and other winter annuals, you will need to feed them at least bi-weekly with a liquid fertilizer such as Miracle Grow or fish emulsion. It is too late in the season to put out granular fertilizers around shrubs and trees. If you have an evergreen that shows signs of malnutrition, you can try giving it doses of liquid fertilizer, but you will get the best results if you wait until spring and give it something much more substantial.

           

It is not too late to plant winter annuals such as snapdragons, pansies, cabbages and kale. The ground is still warm enough to see good growth before it gets too cold. Remember that these annuals will flower throughout the entire winter. However, the earlier you get them in the ground, the larger they will grow because the ground is still warm.

           

There is a misperception that spring is the best time to plant, but actually fall and winter is the BEST time to plant hardwood shrubs and trees. The plants are going dormant and therefore they are the LEAST TEMPERMENTAL if transplanted during this time of year. It makes getting them acclimated to their new home less work for you and healthier for the plants. Their water needs are minimal during this time of year, and they will be able to wake up and start to take in their new home come spring.

           
As far as getting some color in the landscape besides your winter annuals, sasanquas and camellias bloom in fall and winter. (They are technically Camellia sasanquas and Camellia japonicas, but we have shortened them to just “sasanquas” and “camellias.”) Now is a great time to get out to the Garden Center and actually see what the blooms look like. Sasanquas bloom fall to winter and camellias bloom winter to spring. They do like a little shade, or at least a break from the afternoon sun, but if you must plant in full sun, sasanquas will perform better than camellias. If you create a balance of both, then you can have blooms throughout the entire fall and winter.

           

Other than that, irrigation systems should be running about twice a week at this point. It is VITAL that before the first freeze, you change the starting time to mid-day instead of early morning. Otherwise you might wake up to an “ice land” in your yard. Once we get our first frost, go to once a week or none depending on how much rain we get. If you have any faucet mounted irrigation timers in the yard, you might want to start thinking of taking them off before a freeze comes. You can still manually turn on the drip or irrigation as needed.

We thank you for your subscription to our newsletter. We are excited about the new program, and look forward to keeping you updated and successful in your landscape. At Wise Nurseries, successful customers are a key factor in our business. We want our customers to feel special and have a personal relationship with us as their plant/landscape specialist. After all, your yard is our yard, and our home is your home.