A long time ago, there were lovers that lived on the opposite ends of a river. They promised to meet when the camellia flowers bloomed. But it rained so much the boat couldn’t cross the river. So the two couldn’t meet, even though the camellia flowers had all bloomed. Let’s meet again. Before the camellia flowers wilt. Camellias can be associated with Romance but more so a sense boldness with its immaculate flowers and repleat habit.
(John the Apostle).
These plants are so alike but also have very different characteristics. They like the same medium, environment, treatment and possess the same characteristics. Well nearly.
Camellia flowers are not only beautiful but also rich in meaning and symbolism. With a history dating back centuries, these flowers hold significance in various cultures and traditions. Longevity and happiness mostly and are mostly used in weddings in parts like Korea. Rich in antioxidants they have been known to have medicinal qualities.
Gloria Sims, floristempire.
Camellia
Zoe Furniss 2023
CAMELLIAS
Camellias are woody shrubs. Large shrub / small trees that usually flower in spring to summer. C.japonica and williamsii x. However, there are winter flowering although not as many varieties, Find at C.sansanqua. Camellias go well with Hostas, Rhododendrons and Maples.
Conditions
Camellias can survive in shade, certainly winter flowering varieties but do like shelter.
After flowering you need to prune to restore vigour of growth and eliminate the plants from becoming woody. Camellias like an acidic soil and can be container or field based according to the space.
Camellias like to have water so not drought tolerant but do need a little food, not excessive though. Like grass, too much fertiliser or food can cause an adverse reaction.
Deadheading can prolong the flowering but also retain the Camellias trim shape. In spells of very cold weather, keep them out of the wind.
Prune only when there are signs of excessive growth. Regular pruning will affect the volume of flowers which bloom.
Disease
Camellias can often get fungal infection in the summer due to moisture and heat. Gall affects the Camellia short term, a shrivelling of leaves caused by a bacteria infection. These infected parts can be cut out. Another fungal infection, Petal Blight, again, no biological control. Good housekeeping can prevent it in future years. Take care to remove dead and diseased debris.
ROSES
Roses, seem to work in an cluster whereas one Camellia can stand alone, it is very much up to the aesthetics of the onlooker, Roses are to known to look very good with interspaced Catmint (catmint) and Lavender for an Arts and Craft look. How very English you might say!
Roses, seem to work in an cluster whereas one Camellia can stand alone, it is very much up to the aesthetics of the onlooker, Roses are to known to look very good with interspaced Catmint (catmint) and Lavender for an Arts and Craft look. How very English you might say!
There are exceptions to these observations. Some Camellia’s are more susceptible to cold an some Roses are more hardy. Camellias can cope in shade as Roses often can’t. When you do cut them back. Reframe and redesign with a shape in mind and always cut above a leaf node.
types
- Shrub Roses – can be used a back drop, in a corner and ideal in adverse conditions. This includes wild, old fashioned and modern. Rosa Aphrodite (‘Tan00847’PBR) (S) needs full sun, shelter and protection in the colder months.
- Tea / Hybrid Rose – often hybrid and grafted. Share the same characteristics of a standard. Cut out dead, diseased and damaged branches. The severity of prune depends on the spread you want but follow the direct maintenance – you can’t go wrong.
- Climbing Roses – not all need lots of sun, just protection Rosa ‘Madame Grégoire Staecheli – a vibrant, fragrant example that can take a north facing aspect. All types of soil. Exposed or sheltered. Rosa Gertrude Jekyll (‘Ausbord’PBR) perfectly scented but not so shaded, shorter in habit but still easy with growing medium.
The type of Rose relates to its habit and level of pruning required. The idea is whatever the habit to reduce enough to reshape but not there are no buds to follow. Use clean secateurs and cut correctly, the Rose will benefit.
Conditions
Roses prefer moist, sunny and humus rich soil. Surviving in light shade but not heavy. Sitting in water is not their thing either.
They do not tolerate being soaked so worth reconditioning soil if space is limited. This means anything that changes your medium. You might add sulphur to make it more acidic, chalk / lime to reduce it.
Organic matter to substantiate thin free draining soil and sand to make soil less waterlogged. Potting it on can be a solution since you can manipulate the soil.
Avoid areas that are exposed and the branches easily damaged. Open / rough wounds affect Roses more than other specimens. Wounds can easily harbour disease.
Some are mound forming Rosa ‘Carpet White’ needing full sun and a southern aspect. Or climbing Rosa ‘Climbing Iceberg” ideal for shady spots.
It’s about habit. Shrub Roses compared to standard need less cutting back pre.spring. You can remove dead, diseased and damaged to ensure the adverse conditions of winter don’t damage. Take to a third of their height and in spring if they bolt. The vigour of growth is being restored so energy needs to focus on regenerative growth. Roses usually have a scent (except white) so worth retaining as many flowers as possible.
PRUNE
Prune downwards so no water collects on the bud. Cut to a dormant bud. The kind of rose determines how far you prune but this 1st rule applies across the board.
PEST / DISEASES
Replant disease can occur when the specimen is planted in the same soil a former plant was in. This is mainly due to pathogens in the soil. Signs would be poor growth and evidence of the rose not establishing itself. Roots can also appear rotten. A lot of fruit trees can also suffer from this condition. Quince, Plum and Cherry for instance.
| Which / Why | Roses, seem to work in a cluster whereas one Camellia can stand alone, it is very much up to the aesthetics of the onlooker, Roses are to known to look very good with interspaced Catmint (catmint) and Lavender for an Arts and Craft look. How very English you might say? | Camellia |
| Appearance | Oval, serrated, matt, dark green. Deep veined. | Glossy green leaves. Coated in wax. |
| Location | Grow in warmer climes | Cooler temperature |
| Scent | Roses tend to smell more unless white | Statement plants |
| Purpose | Fragrance, fruit, jams and jellies and tea | Ornamental, landscaping and cut flowers |
| Defroke | Mostly deciduous / semi evergreen | Keep their leaves (Evergreen) |
| Benefits | Bouquet. Love and affection | Chinese Medicine |
Another interesting point are Roses which are not of true order.
Cistus – a Rock Rose – a drought tolerant Mediterranean shrub. It needs full sun but can handle poor soil. They don’t like being pruned and will not tolerate heavy, wet or too rich a soil.
And, a Hellebore - Christmas Rose. / Lentern – a low growing semi evergreen that tolerates partial shade, fertile soil and moderate moisture. However, this is another blog altogether.
Roses: Acid loving, smell, appearance, maintenance, aspect, choice, maintenance. Roses: “thorny, complicated and a bit messy.
Roses show a choice for love and affection. “I always send to my beloved every year”.
Camellias are: Acid loving, shady parts, little pruning, good in containers, no strong winds, chalk. Camellias are good in landscaping, green glossy leaves. Very much to make an impression . “The Camellia does so well each year. I am thrilled”.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
Roses and Camellias are versatile and decorative shrubs providing colour, scent and being inviting to wildlife. Every shrub needs to be pruned. Plants certainly need water, almost every plant needs food. But how much and how little is entirely up to you. Some are more time-intensive and very much up to how you spend your time skill. Roses smell. Camellias bloom.
On one hand, Roses offer a divine fragrance, Camellias the glossy leaves. Both acid lovers, enjoying rich soil. Camellias are slightly more straightforward to keep judged on the fact that little pruning is needed. Aspect / purpose / maintenance / scent / vigour / disease all play a part in the environment it will be in and what other neighbouring plant needs are.
ZOE FURNISS 