Camellia Japonica ’spring’s Promise’
Here is a Camellia that has impressed us mightily over the past few years. ‘Spring’s Promise’ is aptly named because it blooms very freely during warm periods in the late fall, throughout the winter and early spring - a true harbinger of spring, with much more bloom over a longer period than we have seen on any other Camellia in Zone 6. ‘Spring’s Promise’ is one of the new winter-hardy ‘Ice Angels’ Camellias bred by Dr. Clifford Parks for hardiness in Zone 6 - a full zone hardier than regular Camellia japonicas.
The vivid single rose red blooms are two and a half inches wide with the petals radiating out from the center of golden yellow stamens - a real eye catcher. Shiny foliage is dark green. The plant matures with a spreading habit of six to eight feet by six to eight feet.
Camellias do best in acid, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Keep the roots cool with three inches of mulch. Choose a spot out of the winter winds with morning sun and afternoon shade. Against the east wall of a building is ideal. Cottonseed Meal fertilizer and Kelp Meal should be applied once during the period December through April. When necessary prune immediately after flowering. Once established, Camellias are extremely drought tolerant and do not require supplemental watering except in periods of extreme drought.
Camellia ‘Spring’s Promise’ is ideal as a foundation plant, as a hedge, or naturalized in a woodland setting under large shade trees.
Written by Alan Summers our expert of the day.
Tags: Afternoon Shade, Camellia Japonica, Camellias, Cottonseed Meal, Early Spring, Extreme Drought, Eye Catcher, Harbinger, Harbinger Of Spring, Hardiness, Kelp Meal, Morning Sun, New Winter, Organic Matter, Shade Trees, Shiny Foliage, Warm Periods, Winter Hardy, Winter Winds, Yellow Stamens