Camellias and Gardenias

[bluethruandthru]

I'm tempted to purchase some camellias and some gardenias that I saw in an on-line catalog. I've heard that both can be a bit difficult to grow. I live in zone 6b or 7...depending on the source. Anyone had any experience with either? I realize there are lots of different varieties. Suggestions? Words of wisdom?

[TygrBright]

1. I've never tried gardenias because they don't do well in heat...

...and my Zone 6b/7 garden was in MD where summers got HOT and HUMID. But I did manage a couple of camellias. They'll survive a hot summer if planted where they get some shade during the hottest parts of the day.

They sulked for a couple of years when I first planted them, but by the 4th or 5th year I was getting blooms regularly in March and April. They like protection from the wind and extreme temperature variations, and will sunburn easily. Otherwise they're fairly easy once they get established. But it may take them awhile to get established.

Different varieties tend to do well in different regions and with different placements. Your best bet is to go to a local nursery/grower and find out what they grow/sell for your area.

horticulturally,
Bright

[bluethruandthru]

2. Thanks Bright!

I'm in hot, humid Maryland so maybe best to steer clear of the Gardenias...and maybe the on-line nursery as well. I'll start prowling the local nurseries for camellias and see what I can find.
:hi:

[NMDemDist2]

3. Camellias did well in Sacramento which has HOT summers

but they will want a bit of shade in the hottest part of the day

check with a local nursery and see if they have some that are used to your area?

[Ecumenist]

6. Yes indeed, they do, AZ...

They are a common landscape shrub here in the valley.

[BOSSHOG]

4. I planted Sasanqua Camellias

six years ago in the winter time and they are doing great. They get sun all day here in South Mississippi and need very little maintenance. I planted them in a raised bed with a lot of organic material and give each a bag of mulch each spring and a light sprinking of Osmocote. Their beds are incredibly fertile with six years of rotting mulch on it. I prune them way back in early March. They have grown profusely and provide blooms from now till New Year's. They grew almost too dadgum much. Occasionally I have had to water them in May or June in our dry season but other then that we just enjoy them. We have some Japonicas close to the house. They get and need more shade, are more stately then the Sasanquas (tree like) but I prefer the Sasanquas. And they all survived Katrina. We are very happy with the investment. We have a gardenia growing wild out back. Gets absolutely no TLC from us. A pine tree fell on it during the hurricane and we thought it was gone but she poked her head out and is one of the smelly queens of our south yard along with Sweet Olives. You may want to check them out. They get rather large but the smell is incredible. They make a very nice hedge.

Good luck ..

[bluethruandthru]

5. Thanks Bosshog!

I'm going to check into the Sasanquas. I don't know much about them..but I know they're available here in Maryland. I don't have alot of shade available now, so these might do the trick!

[FloridaPat]

7. I have gardenias & camellias. They both grow great in the FL heat.

I don't know how far north they will grow.