Ackerman hybrids were developed for cold hardiness after a series of cold winters nearly destroyed the collections of C amellia japonica and C. sasanqua at the U.S. National Arboretum. Since C. oleifera showed no injury, Dr. William Ackerman made interspecific crosses between this and C. sasanq ua , C. hiemalis , or C. vernalis selections. The resulting hybrids released in 1991 showed little or no winter injury as far north as USDA Zone 6 or as cold as -10 ° F in sheltered locations. The Winter Series hybrids are fall-blooming camellias that provide much welcome winter interest. They make great landscape plants due to their evergreen glossy bright green leaves and attractive flowers that come in white and shades of pink. Many will flower as soon as the second year from root cuttings and produce flowers that do not shatter after being cut. Mass plant them in the middle of a border, or they make good specimen plants, foundation plantings, or naturalistic plantings at the edge of woodlands. These plants are mildly resistant to damage by deer. Learn more about the cultivars: ' Snow Flurry' ; 'Winter's Charm'; 'Winter's Rose'; 'Winter's Hope' ; 'Polar Ice' ; 'Winter's Star'; 'Winter's Interlude' ; 'Winter's Snowman' 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. More information on Camellia japonica .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.