Purple Haze Camellia

Purple Haze Camellia is hardy outdoors in USDA zones 7 to 9 and performs best in full to part sun. Like all camellias, it is an acid-loving shrub that wants rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil on the acidic side of neutral.

Planting

1. Choose a spot with full to part sun and shelter from harsh, drying winter wind; morning sun with afternoon protection is ideal in the warmer end of its range.
2. Work the bed to ensure rich, acidic, well-draining soil, amending heavy or alkaline ground with compost or an acidic planting mix.
3. Dig the hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, so the plant sits at its original depth.
4. Set the shrub with the root flare slightly above the surrounding soil line, then backfill and water in thoroughly to settle the roots.
5. Apply a 2-to-3-inch layer of mulch over the root zone to conserve moisture and protect shallow roots, keeping the mulch pulled back from the stems.

Care & maintenance

• Water. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially through the first two seasons and while it is in bud and bloom; camellias dislike both drought and waterlogged roots.
• Feed. Apply an acid-forming fertilizer formulated for camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons (a holly-tone type) in spring after flowering, and again in early summer if needed.
• Light. Full to part sun produces the strongest bloom; in hot climates, give it some afternoon shade to protect flowers and foliage.
• Prune. Camellias bloom on old wood, so prune right after flowering finishes in late winter or early spring. Shape lightly, removing wayward or crossing branches; this gives the plant the full season to set next year's buds.
• Mulch & winter care. Maintain a steady mulch layer to insulate roots, and in the colder part of its range site it where buds are sheltered from sudden hard freezes that can brown the flowers.
• Pests & disease. Watch for tea scale on leaf undersides, aphids, and spider mites; good drainage and air circulation help prevent root rot and petal blight. Treat scale and mites promptly if they appear.

When does the Purple Haze Camellia bloom and for how long?

It is a sasanqua camellia, so it flowers from fall into winter rather than in spring. The lavender-pink, semi-double blooms open in successive flushes over several weeks, bringing color to the garden during the cool season when most shrubs are dormant.

Does it grow in sun or shade?

Sasanqua camellias are more sun-tolerant than the spring-blooming japonica types. Purple Haze grows well in full to part sun. In the hottest parts of zones 7 to 9, a little afternoon shade keeps the flowers and foliage looking their best.

Why isn't my camellia blooming?

• Pruned at the wrong time. Camellias bloom on old wood; cutting in summer or fall removes the buds. Prune only right after flowering.
• Too much shade. Deep shade reduces flowering, so make sure it gets enough light.
• Bud drop. Inconsistent watering or a sudden hard freeze can cause buds to brown and fall before opening.
• Over-feeding. Excess nitrogen pushes leafy growth at the expense of flowers.

When and how should I prune it?

Prune right after the blooms finish, in late winter or early spring. Because it flowers on old wood, this timing lets the plant set buds for next season undisturbed. Shape lightly and remove any crossing or wayward branches; its naturally tidy habit means heavy cutting is rarely needed.

What kind of soil and fertilizer does it need?

Camellias are acid-loving plants. Give it rich, well-drained, acidic soil and feed with an acid-forming fertilizer made for camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons. Apply in spring after flowering, and keep a layer of mulch over the shallow roots to hold moisture and acidity.

Can I grow it as a hedge or in a container?

Yes. Its compact 4-to-5-foot habit makes it well suited to an informal evergreen hedge or low screen, and it also grows nicely in a large container with acidic potting mix and reliable watering. In containers within colder zones, give the roots extra winter protection.