Camellias ‘Winter’s Charm’ flaunts delicate, fragrant flowers that bloom in winter, a rare trait among its kin. Its vibrant, glossy leaves form a lush backdrop for the soft pink to white petals. Adaptable to various soils, it thrives in well-drained conditions with partial shade, embodying winter resilience and ethereal beauty.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Noted for its unique cold hardiness and its showy flowers resembling peonies, Camellia ‘Winter’s Charm’ is a gorgeous early-season camellia from the U.S. National Arboretum Collection. Tough and reliable, this evergreen camellia can be successfully grown in regions as cold as USDA Zone 6b.
‘Winter’s Charm’ is a peony-form camellia resulting from a cross between Camellia oleifera (cold hardiness) and Camellia sasanqua ‘Takara-wase’ (flower form).
This shrub has a spreading habit and grows up to 4-7 ft. tall (120-210 cm) and 4-5 ft. wide (120-150 cm).
Blooming over 4 to 6 weeks in late fall to early winter, each flower, 3-5 in. wide (7-12 cm), consists of 14 lavender-pink petals surrounding a prominent center of petaloids (small petals) and golden stamens. Petals are shed individually when blooms are completed, eliminating the need for any deadheading by the gardener. The foliage of leathery, slightly glossy, dark green leaves is very ornamental.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Camellias ‘Winter’s Charm’ prefers a partially shaded environment. It likes filtered light and cannot be exposed to harsh sunlight; direct sunlight will burn its leaves. When kept indoors, potted plants can be placed 46 to 91 cm near the window. When planted outdoors, seedlings should be shaded. More filtered light is required by adult plants, as it contributes to blooming. Insufficient sunlight for extended periods will unfavorably affect the growth of camellias ‘Winter’s Charm’, resulting in thin leaves, fewer blooms, and reduced ornamental value.
Temperature
Camellias ‘Winter’s Charm’ is native to China and likes warm and moist environments, but not high temperatures. The best temperature range for its growth is 18 to 25 ℃. The optimum temperature is about 20 ℃, and the recommended relative air humidity is 70-80% to avoid too-dry air.
Watering
Camellias ‘Winter’s Charm’ likes water, so its soil should always be kept moist. Its water demand is high in the growing season during spring and summer, when it is best to water it every 1-2 days. Arid soil and dry air during flower bud development can result in a decreased number of flowers and petals, and may also cause spider mite infection. In autumn and winter, water twice a month or so to ensure the soil is not dry.
The best watering times in spring and summer are morning and evening. At noon, the temperature is too high and water loss can happen fast. Plants can be watered at noon in autumn and winter because the temperature is usually too low in the morning and evening, which invites frostbite to the root system. It is best to water with rainwater or distilled water. Tap water is alkaline, and not suitable for camellias ‘Winter’s Charm’. Normally, the surface soil can be covered with 8 cm of bark to keep temperature and humidity constant and to restrain the growth of weeds.
Soil
Suitable soil for camellias ‘Winter’s Charm’ is slightly acidic, moist, rich in organic matter, well-drained, and air permeable. The suitable pH value is 6-6.5. Accumulated water in the soil can lead to root rot. An example of a good culture medium ratio is 1/2 arenosols, 1/4 coco coir, and 1/4 sphagnum moss. Coco coir is high in salinity and should be washed with water before use.
Special culture medium for camellias ‘Winter’s Charm’ can also be purchased. Generally, the soil should be replaced every 1-2 years to avoid soil compaction, which affects the plant’s growth. For pot planting, use a pot with a diameter larger than 46 cm.
Fertilizing
Several kinds of fertilizers can be used during this plant’s growth. In spring, there is no need to fertilize camellias ‘Winter’s Charm’ immediately after repotting. In summer, slow-release nitrogenous fertilizer can be applied once during the vigorous stem and leaf growth period to make leaves greener and more luxuriant. Phosphate-potassium fertilizer can be applied 1-2 times from the time of bud appearance to blooming. Special fertilizer for camellias ‘Winter’s Charm’ or Rhododendron can also be used.
Excessive fertilizer will result in yellow, lusterless leaves, growth stagnation, and bud contraction. Camellias ‘Winter’s Charm’ growth, development, sprouting, and blooming will be affected in mild cases. Branches and leaves will wither and die in severe cases. At this point, fertilization must be stopped, and the soil should be replaced if necessary. Insufficient fertilizer will result in slow growth, small, thin, and yellowish leaves, and shrinking leaf buds. The frequency and concentration of fertilization should be appropriately reintroduced in this situation, rather than using too-concentrated fertilizer all at once. Control the frequency of fertilization.
Planting Instructions
Camellias ‘Winter’s Charm’ can be planted in any season except during hot summers. Generally, it is best to plant camellias ‘Winter’s Charm’ in spring. Dig a pit with twice the width and the same depth and height as the root ball. If planting camellias ‘Winter’s Charm’ outdoors, the spacing between plants should be more than 13 cm. When backfilling the soil, mix some decomposed fertilizer a few inches from the top of the soil.
Pruning
Camellias ‘Winter’s Charm’ grows slowly, so must not be over pruned. Promptly cutting off withering flowers can reduce nutrient consumption, which helps the plant grow robustly and develop new flower buds. Cut off all weak, diseased, and downward-growing branches, as well as old branches that do not blossom on the shrub.
Propagation
There are many propagation methods for camellias ‘Winter’s Charm’, such as cutting, grafting, layering, sowing, and tissue culture. Generally, cutting is the main method and is done in summer and winter. Naturally warm and moist conditions are favorable to the rooting and sprouting of branches, which increases the survival rate.
III. Uses and Benefits
Mass in mixed shrub borders for dramatic winter blooms. Great flowering shrub for woodland gardens or as a screen and hedge. Camellia ‘Winter’s Charm’ is perfect as a specimen plant and may be effectively grown in tubs or large containers.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
Camellias ‘Winter’s Charm’ blooms once a year, starting between the end of winter and spring. The bloom time is relatively long, i. e. 1-2 months for most varieties. Their flowers, branches, and leaves can be cut for appreciation. The vase life of the flowers is about one week, and that of branches and leaves is 15 days. Use sharp gardening scissors to trim the base of each flowering branch obliquely at a 45° angle to increase the water absorption area. Quickly put it in a vase with clean water to avoid water loss.
