Re: camellia

**"* B* <l*@msn.com>**

Jo Ellen asked:

" ...I have a reader asking about camellia...I've never seen this plant in the Indianapolis area wholesale or retail nurseries or garden centers. I don't think I've seen it as a houseplant.

Does anyone know if there's a hardy variety for USDA Zones 5 or 6? Monrovia has several hardy in USDA 7, but couldn't find any for colder zones.

Has anyone ever grown them as houseplants? I figure you could move then outdoors in summer, but are there any other considerations?..."

Hi, Jo Ellen!

We had a camellia until it was toppled by a ginormous snow bank. We fell in love with them when we lived in London. Here's what I learned in my quest for a cold hardy specimen. 

Some are rated to Zone 6 and are the result of breeding by William Ackerman, derived from Camellia japonica (Korean origin). They usually have "Winter" in their name and are fall blooming. Although I'm in Zone 5, we planted it as advised in a protected area, fertilized it well (they are heavy feeders) and admired its blossoms in its short life (boo hoo!). 

Since then, we have had so many storms and lost so many trees that our property is more exposed than ever. If I thought I could find another sheltered protected area, I would try another planting AWAY from potential snow pile ups. They always call my name.

Lorraine 

Lorraine Ballato 

Grow the best plants you can by converting your containers to self-waterers easily and cheaply. Go to

http://www.successfulselfwateringcontainers.com<about:blank>

_______________________________________________
gardenwriters mailing list
gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters
GWL list website  http://www.ibiblio.org/gardenwriters
GWL has searchable message archives at:
http://www.hort.net/lists/gardenwriters
If you have photos for GWL, send them to gwlphotos@hort.net and they can be viewed at  http://www.hort.net/lists/gwlphotos