How Big Do Purple Dawn Camellia Plants Get?

Location

• "Purple Dawn" camellia grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 8, where it prefers a spot with dappled shade or morning sun and afternoon shade. In the cooler end of the shrub's range, plant it in a sheltered area for protection from winter winds. The plant may also grow in USDA zone 9. You can limit the plant's size by growing it in a container, as long as the container has a hole in the bottom for drainage.

Culture

• Like other camellias, "Purple Dawn" requires a well-draining, moist soil that's neutral to acidic. You can improve drainage by mixing in organic matter with the soil. Camellias are slow growing, so to encourage young camellias to grow faster, the American Camellia Society recommends fertilizing with a 12-4-8 or 10-10-10. Apply 1/2 to 1 pound per 100 square feet. Cover the camellia's root zone with a 2-inch layer of organic mulch to help retain moisture in the soil.

Maintenance

• Water "Purple Dawn" camellia freely throughout the growing season to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged or flooded. Missouri Botanical Garden warns against heavy pruning, stating it will ruin the attractive natural shape of the shrub. Only prune to remove dead or diseased branches, or branches that stick out too far. Pruning is best done right after flowering or in early summer, as pruning too late in the season can remove the flower buds.

Problems

• Flower blight is a serious fungal disease that attacks in spring, causing camellia flowers to turn brown and drop within 24 to 48 hours. The disease is best controlled with proper sanitation. Remove and destroy infected flowers and remove all dropped leaves and flowers from under the shrub, as the fungus can survive in plant debris. Camellias planted in full sun may develop sunscald, which turns leaves bronze or brown. The leaves will not recover once burned and the only treatment is to move the shrub to a shadier spot.