Camellias are some of the most versatile evergreen shrubs. Especially if you combine the traditional camellias or Japanese Camellias and the Sasanqua Camellias. I have talked about the versatility of the sasanquas before.   To recapitulate the advantages sasanquas have: Their winter blooming time 2) Their ability to take shade as well as fairly hot sun 3) Their growing habit is generally not stiff and you can choose varieties that grow as a 1 1/2 ft ground cover to shrubs  8 or 10 ft tall. They do have small flowers but in profusion over 2 or three months depending on the weather

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Japanese camellias are the traditional camellias most people think of when we say Camellia. They have large flowers in shades of red, pink to white including some beautiful multi colored varieties. The flower form varies from almost singles like Magnoliaflora (my personal favorite) to full peony form like debutante and Kramer's Supreme to formal double like Nuccio’s Gem.  Japanese camellias prefer protection from the hot summer sun and grow and bloom into a fair amount of shade. You need to get them started by planting in a very high organic soil like Masters Planting mix and DO NOT keep too moist. I think that the #1 problem I see in customers gardens is too much water. The sasanquas are finishing blooming and most of the Japanese camellias are just starting. For lots of wonderful winter and spring color a multitude of camellias are just the thing.

 Don’t forget about the  Camellia culture talk given by Harlan Smith from the Modesto Camellia society. on February 21, 2009 at 11:am here at Scenic Nursery.

From the American Camellia Society

It is with great excitement and anticipation that we look forward to presenting the Camellia
Society of Modesto’s 48th Annual Camellia Cavalcade, Saturday, March 21 and Sunday March 22, 2009.  This year is indeed very special:  It is our great honor to have been selected by the American Camellia Society to hold the National Show in conjunction with our Modesto Cavalcade.  In 1977 the Camellia Society of Modesto last hosted the National Show under the direction of Ron Kellogg and Pete Grosso.  Pete Grosso was a long standing and respected Gallo employee who supervised Gallo’s warehouse operations.  It was under Pete Grosso’s direction that the original Gallo Camellia Garden was started.  That original small garden has expanded and now has more than 1000 plants.  It continues to grow, flourish and expand to the current time.  Just this year more than 200 plants have been added. 

For the past forty-five years the Gallo Winery has graciously donated the use of their facilities for the Camellia Society of Modesto’s annual Cavalcade.  As in the past, the event will be staged at the Gallo Administration Building located off Yosemite Boulevard, Modesto, CA.  The dedicated and hard working Harlan Smith, Past President and Honorary Lifetime Member is again our show Chairman.

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