Too often Camellias are overlooked in the designing of a home landscape. This is sad because these plants provide a beautiful show when used correctly in the southern garden.

Camellias make good foundation plantings. Camellias can be massed to provide screening and a spectacular winter show against broad walls or at the corners of buildings.

Too often we focus on the blooms of the plant and overlook the fact that the plant and its foliage is also very attractive. The growth habit of the camellia requires very little pruning in comparison to other plants, and insect and disease problems are no worse than other popular landscape plants.

Fall blooming Sasanquas are great when used in mass plantings to screen or hide a particular area. They provide a dense hedge that can be pruned to provide the shape and effect desired. One of the great thing about camellias is that they are shade-loving plants. A homeowner is often faced with planting a foundation planting in a wooded area and Camellias will thrive in these areas when other plants struggle just to survive.

Care must be taken, though, when using camellias in a foundation planting. With such a wide array of colors and blooming times available, one should do a little research both to blooming times as well as bloom color. The plants should be planned to bloom at the same time as well as making sure the colors do not clash with each other, or the building they are up against.

Perhaps more than any other plant used in the south, Camellias show off best when used as a specimen plant. Used on a corner, or at either side of a drive or door, they are excellent when used to draw attention. Japonicas should be planted far enough apart to permit them to develop their natural, rounded form of growth.

Camellias can be used to draw attention to a neglected area of the garden as one,s eyes are automatically drawn to their attractive display of color. Planted in a formal courtyard, several different varieties and colors can be displayed beautifully. In this type of setting one can utilize different bloom times most efficiently and provide a bouquet of blooms through-out the season.

Camellias in the formal garden can be pruned at different heights to add an extra dimension to the garden. Older, larger camellias can be pruned open and airy to add age and stature to the garden. Younger ones can be pruned to have a more compact showy appearance. Pruning to different sizes will also allow more camellias to be planted in a given area.

Nowhere can camellias be better utilized than on a woodland path in a romantic gardening theme. The plants should be placed to come into view suddenly around an abrupt turn, or spotted in clusters of 3 in an area that offers a beautiful photo opportunity. Camellias of the same variety can also be placed to alongside a path, forming a line of vision leading the garden visitor to a certain area or focal point. Spot them throughout the garden to appear as a natural part of the garden itself. I personally enjoy camellias when they are planted next to a water feature so that the water reflects the showiness of the plantings.

When camellias are under planted with an array of azaleas, hostas and other woodland plants, the display is beautiful.

In summary, too many times we get so excited about the blooms, we forget that the camellia is a beautiful and versatile plant in the landscape even when it is not in bloom. Perhaps future hybridizers will pay more attention to plant form and foliage when breeding new varieties. Correct information should be supplied to landscape architects and designers about varieties and bloom times so southern gardens can show more of this magnificent plant.