Any advice and tips for growing a Camellia?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Charlotte on April 19, 2013 at 9:20

It likes a sunny spot.  I have one which was planted as a very small plant from M&S and it is doing well.  However, they grow quite slowly so if you can afford it buy a bigger one.  I also have a large one which used to have 100s of flowers on it but last year the squirrels ate all the flower buds and this year I have had no flowers on it at all.  Not a single one.  Does anyone know whether it might be because I might have pruned it too hard last year in the autumn?  There is a beautiful specimen in a front garden on Raleigh Road.

Permalink Reply by Alison P on April 19, 2013 at 10:02

The main thing is that they prefer acid soil, which we don't have around here. They obviously don't need it - as you do see lots planted out in this area (in fact, was one in my garden - in deep shade - when I first moved in, and that did ok). But more acidic soil is their preference, so you might want to think about keeping it in a pot. There is a good link here:

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=327

They do have lovely flowers, but personally am a bit put off by how ugly the flowers look when they are on the turn (I can't really describe it - they don't just fall off the plant, each petal goes brown and withers away).

Permalink Reply by Charlotte on April 19, 2013 at 10:07

Thanks.  Looks like I inadvertently removed all the flower buds by pruning in the late summer.  Fingers crossed for next year and it might have put the squirrels of that there were none this year.

Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on April 19, 2013 at 10:29

I have one, pink flowered, the grows quite happily in a fairly shady spot, though my garden is south facing. Bought as a 2 foot plant about 10 years ago and now it towers at around 12 feet so really do check the variety. The large flowered varieties can suffer in rain as the flowers seem to hold a lot of water and the weight makes the branches droop. Also, when the flowers fall they do tend to go everywhere. Having said that I wouldn't be without one as you get the bonus of glossy foliage in the winter.

Permalink Reply by Charlotte on April 19, 2013 at 17:16

Am sure Ally Pally would have them.  They are expensive but the quality of their plants is always good.  Also, the little garden shop on Hornsey High Street might have or even Homebase

Permalink Reply by Alison P on April 19, 2013 at 22:00

If you've got transport, there is also the Sunshine Garden Centre on Durnsford Rd (short walk from Bounds Green tube station). They seem to have a better range than Ally Pally.