What makes a camellia so expensive? It comes down to slow growth, skilled grafting, and years of care before the plant is ready to sell. Most japonicas take 3 to 5 years in a nursery before they reach a saleable size. That is a long time for a grower to water, feed, prune, and protect a single plant.
The camellia plant cost jumps even higher for grafted named varieties. Grafting takes a trained worker who cuts and joins a piece of the desired cultivar onto a strong rootstock. Each graft takes skill and time. If it fails, the nursery loses both the rootstock and the scion wood. I compared prices at my local nursery last fall and found a 3-gallon japonica selling for $45 to $65. A same-sized azalea right next to it cost just $15. That price gap exists because the camellia sat in the nursery for years longer.
Rare varieties push prices even higher. Clemson Extension reports that over 2,300 named cultivars are on the books. New or hard-to-find varieties have limited stock. Growers can only make a few plants from each mother plant per season. When demand outpaces supply, prices climb fast. A rare japonica in a 5-gallon pot can run you $80 to $150 or more at specialty nurseries.
Shipping costs add to the bill if you buy online. Camellias are heavy plants with dense root balls and thick evergreen foliage. A 3-gallon plant might weigh 15 to 20 pounds boxed and ready to ship. Most online sellers charge $15 to $30 for shipping on top of the plant price. I've found that buying from local growers or camellia society sales saves you that extra cost.
You can find affordable camellia plants if you know where to look and what to buy. Start with 1-gallon pots instead of larger sizes. A small plant costs $12 to $20 and will grow to full size in your garden within a few years. You pay less and your camellia adapts to your soil from a young age. Small plants often establish faster than big ones too.
Sasanqua types cost less than japonicas because they grow faster. A sasanqua reaches sale size about a year sooner than a japonica. This shorter time in the nursery means lower prices for you at the garden center. Varieties like 'Yuletide' and 'Shi Shi Gashira' give you beautiful blooms at a fair price.
You can also grow your own camellias from cuttings for almost no cost at all. Take a 4 to 6 inch stem cutting in early summer, dip it in rooting hormone, and stick it in a pot of moist perlite. Keep it in bright shade and mist it often. In about 8 to 12 weeks you should see roots forming. I've started dozens of camellias this way and given them to friends who wanted the same varieties in their own gardens.
Local camellia society plant sales are another great source for good deals. Members grow extra plants and sell them at $5 to $15 each during annual events. You get named varieties at a fraction of retail price. Check with your nearest chapter for sale dates. These events also connect you with growers who can answer your questions on the spot.
Don't let the sticker price scare you away from camellias. A $15 plant in a 1-gallon pot will grow into a stunning shrub worth hundreds of dollars within 5 to 7 years. You just need patience and the right soil. The long lifespan of camellias means your small investment pays off for decades of beautiful blooms in your garden.
Read the full article: Camellia Plant Care and Growing Guide
