How to grow camellias

Choosing camellias

Camellias are evergreen shrubs that come in a range of sizes. There are two groups which flower at different times so, when choosing one, consider when you'd like the flowers to appear:

• Camellia sasanqua cultivars flower in autumn and winter
• Camellia japonica and Camellia × williamsii cultivars flower in late winter and early spring

There are also several different flower forms (single, semi-double, anemone, peony, rose and formal double) so choose your favourite form. All camellias have really flamboyant flowers. For more on the different flower shapes see this useful guide to camellia flower forms.

Buying camellias

• Plants are widely available from the autumn until late spring
• Camellias are usually available in a 3-4 litre pot from garden centres and mail order suppliers
• Camellias are shrubs sold when typically 60-90cm (2-3ft) tall
• To find camellias that are available to buy near you, or to find a specific plant, use RHS Find a Plant

When to plant

Camellias are best planted in autumn while the soil is still warm to encourage the roots to establish before winter sets in.

Where to plant

• Most cultivars prefer partial or dappled shade, but Camellia sasanqua will tolerate sunnier positions
• Camellias thrive in an acid soil. If you can grow rhododendrons then you've got the right soil for camellias
• You can also grow camellias in containers in a peat-free ericaceous compost
  Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. . This is best option if you garden on an alkaline soil
  The acidity/alkalinity of soil is measured on a pH scale, which runs from 0 to 14. Neutral soil has a pH of 7. Alkaline (lime-rich) soil has a pH above 7, and the higher the pH, the more alkaline the soil. Chalky or limestone soils are alkaline. You can measure your soil pH using a simple testing kit. If you have alkaline soil, choose plants that will thrive in it – acid-loving or ericaceous plants such as rhododendrons will not. Club root disease (which affects brassicas) is less prevalent in alkaline soil. like chalk
• Plant camellias in a sheltered position, away from cold winds and early morning sun

How to plant

• Allow a space of at least 3-5m (10-15ft) per plant. When fully grown they will be medium to large plants
• Camellias are generally hardy (RHS hardiness rating H5), but Camellia sasanqua is slightly more tender (H4) and may need winter protection in particularly cold winters or in freezing winds

How to plant a shrub

Watering

Water newly planted camellias as needed until they are established (the first 18 months). Don't allow the soil to dry out through the summer months as this is when the flowers are produced. Aim to keep the soil moist and check it with trowel about 10cm (4in) down – if it feels dry at this level, water well.

Avoid prolonged spells of watering with tap water if you live in a hard water area. Rainwater from a waterbutt is preferable.

Applying a thick layer of mulch, such as garden compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. will help with water retention.

Watering

Feeding

Plants growing in containers can be fed in early-spring with an ericaceous fertiliser, such as Miracle-Gro Azalea, Camellia and Rhododendron Soluble Plant Food or Chempak Ericaceous Food. Follow the dilution rates and frequency recommended on the packet.

Excessive and late-summer feeding can also lead to bud

A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers. drop – do not feed camellias later than the end of July.

Fertilisers

Deadheading

Deadhead

Deadheading is the process of removing spent flowers from plants to encourage more blooms and prevent seed production. This helps to redirect the plant's energy into producing more flowers rather than producing seeds. your camellias when the flowers begin to fade. This keeps the plant looking fresh as spent flowers will turn brown and can look unsightly. However, it doesn't significantly improve the flowering for the next spring, so it's something you can do if you have time.

Deadheading plants

Overwintering

If you are growing Camellia sasanqua in a container this will need some winter protection in most parts of the UK. Likewise, if you are growing Camellia japonica and Camellia × willamsii cultivars in Scotland or northern England, they may need protection. Move the container nearer to the house or to a sheltered corner. Wrap camellias with biodegradable

Anything that can be decomposed by fungi, bacteria and micro-organisms, so it doesn’t persist indefinitely in the environment. Biodegradable plastics are usually made from plants, such as bamboo, rather than fossil fuels. Ideally, products that claim to be biodegradable should break down quickly and leave nothing harmful behind. However, they may need specific conditions in order to biodegrade successfully or may produce greenhouse gases such as methane in the process. fleece

A soft, fibrous, translucent material laid over or around plants hastening their growth and protecting them against weather and pests. Heavier grades of fleece give about 2°C of protection from frost. It is usually used without supporting hoops. . Alternatively, move potted camellias into cold a greenhouse or cool conservatories in spells of freezing weather.

Preventing winter damage

Camellias do not need to be pruned regularly but, if they outgrow the allotted space, you can trim them into shape after flowering. Hard pruning is best carried out in March, but it will be a couple of years or more before they flower well again.

Shrubs: renovation

Shrubs: pruning evergreens

You can propagate camellias from semi-ripe cuttings, hardwood cuttings, layering and grafting.

Growing from seed is also an option, but seedlings

A seedling is a young plant grown from seed. will not usually come true to parent type. The flowers will have been cross pollinated and this may produce a different colour or flower shape.

Take semi-ripe cuttings

Semi ripe cuttings are taken from summer to mid-autumn (Jul-Sep) from healthy stems grown this season. The base of the cutting is firm, while the tip is still soft. Use for climbers, herbs, evergreen shrubs, conifers and hedging plants. from mid to late summer; they often root better if slightly wounded by taking a 1.5cm (⅝in) strip of bark

Bark is the outermost layer of woody plants (trees, shrubs and woody climbers). It is several cells thick and provides protection against physical damage, disease and environmental stresses. Bark comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns, and these can help gardeners when identifying plants. The fissures and crevices of bark on older plants also creates valuable habitat for many garden creatures as well as lichens and small plants. off the base of the cutting.

Take hardwood cuttings

Hardwood cuttings are taken from mid-autumn until late winter from vigorous healthy shoots of the current year's growth - this will be woody but pliable. Use for deciduous climbers, shrubs, trees (including fruit) and some evergreens such as hollies. in the same way as semi-ripe cuttings, but between autumn and late winter. They can root in just three months.

Layering

Nutrient deficiencies

Camellia flower blight

Despite being easy to grow, camellias are occasionally subject to problems. Not watering through the summer months causes bud

A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers. and flower drop the next winter/spring. Other things you might see include:

• Camellia gall
• Camellia petal blight
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Camellia Problems: frequently asked questions