Camellia Flower – History, Meaning, and How To Care for It

The camellia flower is also known as the queen of winter flowers. This is a very beautiful evergreen shrub with an elegant bloom that fascinates everyone who sees it. In Japan, this flower has a special story. The Japanese often call it tsubaki, and they have been adoring the flower for thousands of years.

The camelia flower has been in Japanese culture for various reasons. From medicine to religious ceremonies, people always admire its beauty. It is difficult to resist the flower, especially for those who enjoy gardening.

Origin

The camelia flower is native to East Asia. During the Edo period, around 1603-1868, the rose rose to popularity and many nobles, samurai, and also tea masters often planted this flower in their gardens. Some people in the past also used it as tea.

The long history of the camelia flower started to continue, and Westerners started to explore this flower around the 1730s. This flower was named after the botanist Georg Joseph Kamel, who had been learning botany for pharmaceuticals in the 1600s. Starting from this point, the camelia flower gained popularity in Europe.

Habitat and Climate

The camelia flower generally grows as shrubs. They can be found around the Himalayan foothills and thrive well in moist-acidic soil and dappled sunlight. You can also find the flowers grow around woodlands, forested areas, and sometimes around pine canopies. Besides, this flower also adapts well to the cooler climate and moist conditions. Even some species are resistant to snow and freezing temperatures.

Shape, Colors, and Fragrance

Currently, there are at least 250 camelia species with different characteristics. Many of them are hybrids, such as camellia vernalis, camellia hiemalis, camellia reticulata, and many more. Some species are used for tea, for example, the Camellia sinensis.

Speaking about its shape, the camelia flower comes in many forms. There are at least six distinct forms that offer different beauty, especially the arrangement of the petals. Here are some of the unique features:

Single - The camelia flower with a single petal has a single row of petals and usually has a central cluster of stamens. Typically, the statement is yellow.
Semi-double - This combines two or more rows of petals and usually comes with prominent stamens located at the center.
Anemone form - This form has one or more rows at the outer edge. The center has a convex mass of petaloids and stamens that mingle together.
Peony form - It has multiple rows with irregular petals and comes with petaloids and stamens at the center.
Rose form double - The blooms itself has overlapping petals, and the stamens are concealed. This makes the flower look like a rose.
Formal double - It comes with multiple rows and overlapping petals, arranged symmetrically without visible stamens.

Speaking about the fragrance, the camelia flower generally has no fragrance. If there are species with scents, typically they have a subtle fragrance, for example, the camellia japonica.

The camellia flower is a diverse flower with many varieties of color such as cream, yellow, and multi-colored blooms. Some varieties include pale pink, yellow, and red.

Meaning and Symbolism

In Japanese culture, the camellia flower symbolizes beauty and strength. This flower has been mentioned in Japanese literature since 720 CE and praised due to its resilience. During the 8th century, people started to introduce herbalism in China, which deepened the appreciation of the flower.

In many cultures, the camelia flower represents a different meaning. Some people have personal experience with the flower, and some societies use the flowers for certain purposes, such as rituals or even for medicine. However, there are always general interpretations about this flower, which are as follows:

Red Camellia Flower - It means romantic love and passion. This color symbolizes the deep desire for someone who is suitable to be given to someone who tries to win her heart.
White Camellia Flower - This color symbolizes adoration and care. However, when someone gives this color, it is generally pure adoration without romantic interest.
Pink Camellia Flower - The pink camellia is known to express longing. This flower is perfect to give when you are longing for someone.

How to Grow the Camelia Flower

Growing the camelia flower is not as complicated as you think. What you need to do is just mimic the natural habitat.

The camellia flower can thrive well in partial sun and shade. This flower is suitable for a hardiness zone of 6-9, and generally requires low maintenance.
You can choose the sheltered spot and avoid areas with huge exposure to the wind because it will cause leaf and flower damage.
The best time to plant the flower is during autumn when the soil is still warm, and you can establish the root of the flower properly before winter. If you plan to grow the plant using pots, consider planting it during spring to autumn, but you have to make sure that you will water the plant regularly.
Even in its natural habitat, the flower thrives well in acidic soil. You can mix the peat-free ericaceous compost mix and use a pot that is at least 30cm wide. Besides, keep in mind to have more holes in the pot to allow the water to drain. You can add rocks to improve the drainage, as they can prevent root rot.

How To Care for Camellia Flowers

Caring for the camellia flower is also easy. You just need to regularly prune it by removing the brown flowers and leaves to keep it tidy.
In a hard water area, the rainwater will be useful as the hard water will influence the acidity. If you don't have choices, you can use tap water instead.
So, that is all about the camellia flowers. All you need to do when it comes to raising flowers is to mimic their natural habitat. Once you harvest the flowers, this can be your decoration on the table, or simply bring it as a gift to someone.

Or, if you want something quicker and easier, Athaya Florist can help you provide the best flower arrangement. We have endless options from designs, color choices, wrappers, and you can personalize your gift card. Contact our team for more information.