Camellia care is pretty simple; plant in a shade to part sun area (morning sun, afternoon shade) with rich soil. As the plants mature and the canopy provides shade to roots, they can take more sun. Camellias like ample moisture and well-drained soil. Water during dry conditions to encourage new growth.

Where does Camellia grow best?

In general, camellias grow and bloom better in light, partial shade, with shelter from hot afternoon sun. This is especially true for young plants, which thrive under the shade of tall trees or when grown on the north side of a house.

Are camellias easy to grow?

Once established Camellia are low maintenance, although they can be reluctant to flower. ... Camellias are not easy to grow and so are not everyone's ideal shrub. Check out other Spring flowering shrubs, and also evergreen shrubs for more ideas. Camellia is a red wheelbarrow shrub, which shows it is difficult to grow.

What is the best way to grow camellias?

Camellias prefer a position that is in dappled or full shade. An area that gets morning shade is best as direct sun in the morning can dry out the developing flower buds too quickly. Camellias are woodland plants and do not cope well in a sunny, south facing spot.

Do camellias grow in pots?

For hundreds of years camellias have been successfully grown in containers. ... Modern living conditions often mean little or no garden space, soil quality may be quite unsuitable or the camellia enthusiast may wish to grow 'just one more' all these problems may be solved by container culture.

Gardening 101 Series | How to Plant & Maintain a Camellia

33 related questions found

Why is my camellia dropping its leaves?

This can be caused by lack of water and, in hot conditions, camellias appreciate shade as well as water. ... In winter, leaf loss can be caused by frozen compost or soil. If frozen, the soil cannot supply the leaves with water, so they turn brown and leaf loss is likely.

What is the best time to plant camellias?

When to Plant Camellias

The best time to plant camellias is in fall or early spring. Fall is best in warmer areas, as it gives the plants time to grow deep root systems without the stress of summer heat. In cooler areas, plant in the spring for best results.

Why are the leaves on my camellia turning yellow?

They can grow in slightly alkaline soils but the tell-tale sign of a camellia growing in the wrong pH is a yellowing of the leaves. It's referred to as lime-induced chlorosis and is caused by the plant's inability to absorb iron from the soil due to the pH being too high.

Do camellias like coffee grounds?

Use coffee grounds as mulch for acid-loving plants — roses, azaleas, rhododendrons, evergreens, hydrangeas and camellias. They like coffee grounds for the natural acidity and nutrients they add to the soil.

Do camellias need to be staked?

Staking & Espalier

It is advisable to stake your camellia when you plant. As your sasanqua grows the new growth often bends over until the wood hardens. By staking you will produce a larger plant more quickly. ... Use a stake taller than the plant so that as the plant grows you can continue to stake it.

Should I deadhead camellias?

For shrubs that bloom only once in a season, such as camellias and lilacs, removing the old flowers helps to conserve the plant's resources so it can maintain healthy leaf and root growth. Just pinch off old blooms.

How do you prepare soil for camellias?

Soil preparation

Before planting camellias, it's important to prepare soils well with plenty of composted organic matter. Good drainage is also vital. If your soil is heavy clay or prone to water-logging, plant camellias into raised beds or pots. When in doubt, always use Searles Azalea & Camellia Planting Mix.

What fertilizer is best for camellias?

Camellias don't need much fertilizer, and too much nitrogen can burn the leaves and cause them to drop off. Spread 1/2 to 1 pound (227 g.) of 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 slow release fertilizer over the root zone. Scratch the fertilizer into the top inch (2.5 cm.) or so of soil with a garden rake and then replace the mulch.

What conditions do camellias like?

Camellias are woodland plants that grow best in shelter and light shade, although with careful watering they can be grown in sunny positions. They prefer free-draining conditions, with plenty of organic matter, such as leaf mould, incorporated into the soil. Being ericaceous plants, camellias require an acid soil.

Is Epsom salts good for camellias?

When applying liquid fish fertiliser to the foliage and root system of camellias, consider including a teaspoon of Epsom salts. This contains magnesium sulphate which keen growers believe encourages greener foliage, less bud drop and bigger blooms.

How do you revive a camellia?

If your camellia does die back, cut back to healthy growth. If the whole plant appears dead, cut hard back to 10 cm from the ground and give it till autumn to regenerate - which it will do if the roots are healthy. If you have a camellia in a pot, it is vital to stop the roots freezing.

Is Potash good for camellias?

There'd be thousands of Camellias in gardens that have never had a feed in their lives and yet they're performing beautifully, but if you want to get the very best out of your Camellia, give them a feed with an Azalea and Camellia fertiliser, about December and then just before flowering, a few handfuls of sulphate of ...

Do camellias stay green all year?

As the name suggests, these plants stay green all year long, which can brighten many a winter garden, especially in northern climates.

What is the difference between a camellia and a sasanqua?

While the Japanese (Camellia japonica) and sasanqua (Camellia sasanqua) camellias are very similar, the main difference between the two species is their bloom time. Japanese camellias may bloom between fall and spring, depending on the cultivar.

How far apart should I plant camellias to make a hedge?

Allow a minimum of five feet between plants, and preferably more. When planting a hedge, a distance of three feet between plants is recommended.

What is wrong with my Camelia?

Several diseases affect camellia plants. The most common include petal blight, canker, leaf gall, root rot, and camellia yellow mottle leaf virus. Petal blight affects camellia flowers, causing them to turn brown. ... Canker disease can be identified by the sudden wilting of branches along with gray-colored blotches.

Why does my camellia buds but not flower?

A certain amount of bud drop is normal, but when camellias absolutely refuse to bloom, it's often due to some type of stress. ... Uneven watering can cause buds to drop prematurely. Water evenly to keep the soil moist but never soggy. Camellias don't like wet feet, so be sure the soil drains well.

Do camellias shed their leaves?

Although they are evergreen plants, camellias still periodically shed their old leaves. Don't worry about leaves turning yellow and falling in spring or summer if this is confined to old leaves near the base and within the plant.