Camellia 'Autumn Spirit'

A hybrid of C. oleifera x C. sasanqua, Autumn Spirit Camellia can be grown as a large shrub or small tree.  This evergreen can be a focal point in your garden, as a border or placed as a home foundation plant.  Blooming in the fall, it can add color to your landscape when other plants have lost their blooms. 

It can adapt to a variety of conditions, but for the best performance, moist, acidic, organically rich soil with good drainage is paramount. Locations that fail to drain properly will damage and eventually kill this plant.  

Cold tolerant, but not winter hardy, in more northern climates it can be grown in a container and brought inside late in the season as the temperatures drop.  When container grown, it may not reach its full potential when compared to when planted outdoors in a garden.  Container grown plants also require more frequent watering.

Provide protection from southern afternoon sun.  

Pruning can be accomplished after flowering.

This Camellia makes an excellent choice for a woodland border.  For this application, plant your shrubs 4 feet apart.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Like other varieties of Camellia, the most serious issues affecting these plants are canker, flower blight, root rot and dieback.  Prevention and treatment can avoid these issues.  

Insects include aphids and spider mites.  Again, prevention and treatment can keep these insects under control.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common camellia diseases and insect pests.