There are some plants with characteristics that help provide a source of structure to the landscape. Not something with fluff, but something to anchor the design with strength and durability. The camellia is one of those versatile plants that can be used throughout the landscape as a backdrop or brought to the forefront with their colorful flowers. They can be used as specimen plants, in borders, as foundation plantings and used as screenings. They have rich, dark foliage and blooms that bravely step forward in cooler months while other plants are tucking themselves in for a winter's nap. But even an anchor can show signs of rust once in a while. As tough and reliable as they are, camellias can still have issues with some diseases. Many can be prevented or minimized by cultural practices. Here are the most common.
Camellia dieback and canker is a serious fungal disease that causes the leaves to suddenly turn yellow and wilt. Cankers (sunken areas) develop on the bark and stems, eventually girdle the stem and cause areas above the canker to wilt and die. These symptoms usually occur during hot, dry weather. Remove affected twigs below the cankered areas and disinfect pruning tools between cuts to prevent spread of the disease. Use of fungicides may help protect pruned areas and leaf scars from further infection.
Camellia flower blight affects only the flowers causing them to turn brown. Small irregular spots begin on the petals, then enlarge and cover almost the entire flower. The flower usually browns and drops from the plant within 48 hours. Suspect this disease if the brown area spreads rapidly from the outer edges to the center of the bloom. Good sanitation is important here. Pull and destroy infected flowers and remove all fallen debris from around the plant. This fungus can survive in the soil and its spores can be wind-borne to other camellias in the landscape.
Root rot causes leaf yellowing, poor growth and wilting of the entire plant. The infected root system turns brownish in color and death may be rapid or the plant may be in decline for several years. This fungal disease thrives in areas with poor drainage and once the plant becomes infected, it is difficult to control. Camellia japonica cultivars are more susceptible. Use amendments to improve soil drainage or plant in raised beds. If there has been an issue with root rot in the past, select varieties of Camellia sasanqua or cultivars of Camellia japonica grafted onto sasanqua rootstock.
Leaf gall is more common on Camellia sasanqua and is most evident during spring
