SCIENTIFIC NAME: Camellia hybrid 'Winter's Snowman'

COMMON NAME: Winter's Snowman Camellia

GARDEN SIZE: 12 ft. tall x 5 ft. wide

GROWTH RATE: Moderate to fast compared with other camellias. In general, camellias are slow-growing plants and can take 10-20 years to reach their full size, depending on their environment.

USDA ZONE: 6-10

EXPOSURE: Prefers morning sun and afternoon shade. Here in Tennessee toward the northern edge of their range, camellias prefer to be sheltered by at least one wall.

WATER & SOIL: Well-drained soil; Average water requirements

HABIT (FORM): Vigorous, upright shrub

FOLIAGE: Evergreen; Glossy green with burgundy-red new growth

FLOWERS: Semi-double to anemone-shaped white blooms with creamy yellow centers. Deep gold stamens are sometimes visible.

FLOWER SIZE: 2-3 inches

BLOOM TIME: Mid fall to early winter

PLANT ORIGIN: Hybrid camellia whose ancestry includes C. oleifera and C. hiemalis, and possibly C. sasanqua as well - sources disagree. Bred for cold hardiness and beauty by Dr. William Ackerman in Ashton, Maryland.

WILDLIFE SUPPORT: Flowers may feed pollinators in the very early spring and/or fall, but it is not a host for local wildlife.

FERTILIZING: Fertilize with a bloom booster fertilizer two seasons before they bloom (in fall for spring bloomers and in spring for fall bloomers).

PRUNING: Not necessary. If desired for shaping, you may prune right after blooming.

ASPCA Toxicity flags (see their site for details): Camellias are generally non-toxic; however, Camellia sinensis contains caffeine and should be handled with caution around pets.

USES: Ornamental specimen