Camellia 'Polar Ice'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ka-MEE-lee-ah
- Description
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The Polar Ice Camellia is a moderately fast-growing evergreen shrub that has been bred for its superior cold-hardiness and striking white flowers. Mass in mixed shrub borders for great winter color. Grows well in containers and looks natural in a woodland garden.
Like most Camellias, this plant needs consistently moist, well-drained, acidic soil with high organic matter. Provide a sheltered site as flower and leaf buds may experience damage by cold winter winds. Early morning and direct afternoon sun can be too harsh so plant in partial shade and be aware that an area too heavily shaded can limit flowering. The size and shape of the plant can be controlled and overall health improved by pruning the branches after flowering.
This showy plant is great for cut flowers and is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
'Polar Ice' is an anemone form Camellia that is an Ackerman hybrid (learn more about the Winter Group camellias) cross between Camellia oleifera 'Plain Jane' (cold hardiness) and Camellia 'Frost Princess' (flower form).
Insect and Disease Problems: Camellias are susceptible to viruses and some fungal diseases such as dieback, cankers, flower blight, and root rot. Watch for scales, aphids, planthoppers, and spider mites. They are especially problematic on stressed plants.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common camellia diseases and insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Camellia
- Family:
- Theaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- U.S. National Arboretum’s Breeding Program
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Mildly deer resistant, resistant to cold
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Insignificant small woody capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- 3-3.5 inch, fragrant snow white anemone-form flowers with 12 large petals surrounding a convex mass of smaller petals and golden yellow stamens. Blooms for six weeks fall into winter October to December. Petals are shed individually after bloom so there is no need for deadheading
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, leathery, glossy dark green with crenate to moderately serrate margins
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Bark Description:
- Smooth sandy brown bark
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
