Dream Weaver Camellia

The Dream Weaver Camellia grows outdoors in zones 7 through 10 in full to part sun. Like all camellias, it is acid-loving and performs best in rich, moist, well-drained soil with an acidic pH. A spot sheltered from harsh afternoon sun in the warmest zones, and from drying winter wind, helps it look its best.

Planting

1. Choose a site with full to part sun and protection from intense, reflected heat; morning sun with light afternoon shade is ideal in hotter climates.
2. Work the planting area to ensure rich, acidic, well-draining soil; amend heavy or alkaline soil with compost and an acidifying amendment such as pine bark or peat.
3. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, so the plant sits slightly high rather than buried.
4. Set the plant with the root flare at or just above soil level, then backfill with the amended soil and water in thoroughly to settle it.
5. Spread a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch over the root zone to conserve moisture and keep roots cool, pulling it back a couple inches so it never touches the stems.

Care & maintenance

• Water. Keep the soil consistently moist during the first couple of seasons while roots establish. Once settled, water deeply during dry spells, especially as buds form and flowers open in fall.
• Feed. Apply an acid-forming fertilizer formulated for camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons (a holly-tone type) after flowering in late winter to early spring. Avoid heavy late-summer feeding that pushes tender growth.
• Light. Full to part sun produces the heaviest bloom; in the hottest zones, a little afternoon shade protects the foliage and flowers.
• Prune. Camellias bloom on old wood, so prune right after flowering finishes, before new buds set for the next season. Shape lightly, removing crossing or wayward branches; you can limb it up over time to a small tree form.
• Mulch & winter care. Maintain mulch year-round to moderate soil moisture and temperature. In the colder end of its range, a sheltered location and steady mulch help protect buds from drying cold and wind.
• Pests & disease. Watch for tea scale (often seen as yellow stippling on top of leaves with white or brown specks beneath), aphids on new growth, and sooty mold. Good air circulation, well-drained soil, and avoiding wet, soggy conditions help prevent root rot and petal blight.

When does the Dream Weaver Camellia bloom and for how long?

It is a sasanqua camellia, so it flowers from fall into winter, exactly when most of the garden has gone dormant. Cooler weather slows the bloom cycle, and a single shrub can produce flushes of rose-pink flowers over several weeks of the cool season.

Why isn't my camellia blooming?

The most common cause is pruning at the wrong time. Camellias set their buds on old wood, so cutting in late spring or summer removes the very growth that would have flowered. Too much deep shade, drought stress while buds are forming, or a hard freeze that damages set buds can also reduce flowering. Prune only right after bloom, keep it watered through bud set, and give it adequate light.

Does it grow in sun or shade?

Sasanqua camellias like 'Dream Weaver' handle more sun than other camellias and grow well in full to part sun. In the warmest parts of zones 7 through 10, a bit of afternoon shade keeps the foliage and flowers from scorching, while morning sun encourages strong bloom.

When and how should I prune it?

Prune immediately after the flowers finish, before the plant sets next season's buds. Remove dead, crossing, or wayward branches and shape lightly to maintain its upright form. Because of its 6 to 8 foot height, it also responds well to being gradually limbed up into a small flowering tree.

Is it good for pollinators?

Yes. Its late fall and winter flowers provide nectar when few other plants are blooming, making it a valuable stop for bees and other foragers active on mild days.

Can I grow it as a hedge or screen?

Its tall, fairly narrow habit and dense evergreen foliage make it an excellent screen or hedge, as well as a foundation anchor or border specimen. Space multiple plants according to their 4 to 6 foot mature width and prune after bloom to keep a tidy, layered wall of glossy green.