How to Grow Camellias
Camellia is an evergreen, spring flowering shrub with lovely, roselike flowers in a range of beautiful colours.
Camellias are not the easiest shrub to grow, and the saying "Right plant, right place" is crucial when growing Camellias. It is essential that Camellias are grown in the correct the soil type, which is ericaceous (i.e. acid.) Camellias are one of a group of acid loving shrubs, which also includes Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Pieris, all woodland shrubs which will only thrive in acid soil.
There is a very wide range of Camellia shrubs on offer in garden centres, in many sizes and colours. The hardiness of Camellia varies from fully hardy, to slightly tender, and the latter types need winter protection. Check the label for information and also an explanation of what frost hardy means.
Camellia shrubs vary in size from 1-20 metre, most offered on line and in garden centres are medium-sized and slow growing, up to a few metres. Camellias are evergreen, the foliage is attractive and glossy, which is an additional reason to include them in a mixed border. Camellias flower in the spring, the flowers are very attractive as the images show and colours are predominantly shades of red, pink, white and occasionally yellow. There are also many variegated Camellia, as illustrated above right.
Camellia is not easy to grow, and if you are looking for something easier, or do not have acid soil check out other Spring flowering shrubs, and also evergreen shrubs for more ideas.
Camellia is a red wheelbarrow shrub, it is difficult to grow. Those gardeners whose Camellias flower year after year in abundance, with lovely green glossy leaves, are probably wondering why, but in many conditions and parts of the country Camellia can be difficult and travelling around there are plenty examples to be seen of Camellias with sad yellowing leaves and discoloured blooms.
Why are Camellias difficult to grow?
Camellias are fussy. When planting, do not plant too deep, the root ball should be level with the earth. Camellias must have acid soil, otherwise they will cannot thrive and flower. This means if your soil is not acid you will only be able to grow Camellia in a container, fortunately Camellia are a shrub happy to be container grown. It follows that it is essential to purchase ericaceous (acid) compost to fill the container and feed only with ericaceous feed. Camellias like moist well-drained acid soil, in partial sun and away from cold winds in a sheltered spot, and not facing East.
If that is not enough, they also enjoy a nice leaf mulch being a woodland plant.
Camellia bloom damages by frost and morning sun.
Camellias dislike the cold winds. In addition, although many are fully hardy, the buds and flowers can be damaged by the morning sun, as illustrated in the image left. This is a common problem with Camellia, and to avoid or reduce this problem, do not plant Camellia facing East where the blooms will catch the morning sun. This is particularly a problem when there is frost followed by morning sun, which really damages the buds and blooms, causing them to go brown as in the image left. It is the combination of early morning sun and frost, which does the most damage, and as a result many of the shrub's flowers can look similar to the one in the image.
This means when growing Camellias selecting where to plant is more critical than with some other types of shrubs. A sheltered non east facing spot is best and if you garden in a colder area prone to frost, growing Camellias will present more of a challenge. Generally, Camellias prefer semi- shade.
When planting a Camellia dig a large hole and add leaf mould, if possible which is ideal, or a suitable ericaceous feed. Camellia should be planted at soil level. To check this once you have placed the Camellia in the hole, lie a cane across the top of the hole to check the shrub is at soil level, and then fill in and water well. The most important point is to plant in a suitable spot, sheltered with dappled shade and out of direct sunlight.
Problems growing Camellia
Wet and windy weather can turn the lovely blooms brown.
Camellias are grown for their flowers and also their foliage, which is a rich, very glossy green, or should be. Sometimes Camellias can look patchy, with yellow or light coloured foliage. The image below shows the two most common problems with Camellias: Unsightly browning of the blooms, and yellowing leaves. The most common cause of yellow leaves is that the soil is insufficiently acid. In which case either re plant in a container, or feed with ericaceous feed and don't use tap water.
Another problem is that sometimes Camellias fail to flower. When this occurs, it is always worth trying an ericaceous feed in the spring and early summer. Flower drop can also be a problem if it is dry in the spring and summer, water well to prevent flower drop. A mulch will help to preserve moisture. It's best to avoid watering with tap water because it contains Calcium, which reduces the acidity. It is important to feed Camellias only with ericaceous feed and early in the year.
In case you are struggling with growing Camellia, take heart from the image below. I took this at a very well known, prestigious garden and the shrubs are looking far from ideal. It's not as easy as it sometimes looks.
How to prune Camellia
Camellias do not need routine pruning. However, if a Camellia has become too large for its allotted space it can be pruned and if necessary pruned hard. As always, timing is important. Remember the buds on a Camellia form in summer and autumn. This means if you are to avoid cutting off the buds, you must prune just after flowering in the spring. There is no specific requirement to prune and they will happily carry on growing without it. If a Camellia becomes overgrown, it can be hard pruned and will regrow. As with all renovative pruning, if you are pruning very hard, it may be best undertaken over 2/3 growing seasons.
Having said all of that, once established in the right place a Camellia will happily get on with the business of growing and flowering with little attention; the trick is to plant it in the right place and soil to start with.
Problems growing Camellia yellowing foliage
Growing Camellias in containers
If you like Camellias but your growing conditions are not ideal, you can grow Camellias in containers. To grow in a container, it may be more manageable to select a smaller variety and a good-sized container filled with ericaceous compost. Mix into the compost some ericaceous fertiliser, slow release for one season or feed with ericaceous feed. Water with rainwater. A camellia in a pot will require repotting into a large container with fresh ericaceous compost as it develops. If you do not repot top dress, which is to scrape away the top 5cms of compost from the top of the container and replenish with fresh ericaceous compost. In the winter elevate from the ground to protect from frost using bricks. Place in a sheltered spot away from direct sunlight.
Check out Fast Growing Evergreen Shrubs for more planting ideas.
Best Types of Camellia to grow
The RHS recommends the following varieties:
Camellia x williamsii 'Donation' large pink semi-double flowers which flowers from late winter to mid-spring; 5m x 2.5m, will grow in a shaded position and is more hardy than Camellia japonica 'Adolphe Audusson which has bright red flowers in early spring, 5m x 4m
Camellia 'Cornish Snow' small, white single flowers in late winter; 3m x 1.5m. H4 rating
Also : Camellia japonica 'Tricolor' which as the name suggests blooms are white, striped red and pink. C x williamsii 'Brigadoon' semi double rose pink blooms. C. Japonica 'Elegans' large rose pink flowers.
I rather like to bold red of C. 'Drama girl' illustrated below.
Camellia 'Easter Morn
Camellia 'Drama girl
Cameilla 'E G Waterhouse'
