Camellia advice pretty please

lytton

Hi all. We had a dandy Camellia in the last house and since moving I’ve had to start from scratch on our bland undersized newbuild canvas. I’ve made a sort of ok bedding area at the sunniest aspect of the garden and have deliberately left a spot for a tree, ideally a new Camellia. Sourcing one isn’t the problem, the local garden centres have them for reasonable prices depending on the size (very small ones to more established ones in bigger pots). The problem is that the different varieties seem to have conflicting planting instructions, and the Internet yields some pretty varied results. Some suggest making a larger hole and adding acidic compost, other sources suggest they are hardy and don’t need any specialised prep. Does anyone have a decent knowledge of these trees? Would you definitely recommend preparing a hole with highly specialised compost? Is the sunniest part of our south-ish facing garden the best spot? I’m on a budget so I’d hate to buy one and kill it off. They’re everywhere at the moment in the shops so I’m guessing I’ve at least got the time of year right for planting one outdoors. If it’s at all relevant, we’re aiming for a pink flowered variety. Any tips would be very appreciated. Thanks guys.

Jimmithecat

I’m not an expert by any means but I have 4 beautiful camellias that appear to be thriving - we just planted them in ericacious compost in a sunny bed

Mojisola

lytton wrote: »

I’ve made a sort of ok bedding area at the sunniest aspect of the garden and have deliberately left a spot for a tree, ideally a new Camellia.

This site gives good advice -
https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/content.cfm?ref=Camellia+-+Care+Guide

If you want to fill a tree space, choose your variety mainly by size - many Camellias are small to medium size shrubs.

lytton

Thanks for the link, glad that’s two others saying acidic mixture now. Sorry I should have clarified that by leaving a space for a tree I hadn’t intended it to be a beast of a tree, a medium shrubby thing was what we had in mind. Personally I like conifers but the boss was adamant that we weren’t having any more because of the growth potential, even though I’ve seen some very nice dwarf conifers around. I’ll get me some of that ericacious compost in which case. Ta.

JJ_Egan

Hole and plenty of compost for planting .
Feed of feed of ericacious once flowering has finished . Then prune where needed .
Key is must not allow to dry out during the summer and start feeding potash from mid August onwards .

glasgowdan

Hardy doesn't mean they'll tolerate any soil... it means they cope well through winter. I'd always get as much ericaceous compost dug in when planting them and put a good mulch on top.

Primrose

When you!!!8217;re ready to plant include plenty of ericatious compost to give it a good start.
The important thing is to remember that the bush will be in situ for many years hopefully and will grow considerably if it thrives so do ,t plant too close to a fence or wall which will restrict its growth.

Also remember that the blooms are not frost hardy so try and locate it where it is protected from frost or biting winds if possible.and early morning sun.

Try to buy it in flower. At least then you will know exactly what the blooms are like. You can!!!8217;t always judge by an illustrated label.

sheramber

Have you tested your soil to see what kind yo have? Camellias need neutral to acid. If you have the wrong type it will struggle to thrive.
https://www.gardenfocused.co.uk/shrub/camellia.php

madjackslam

Primrose wrote: »

Also remember that the blooms are not frost hardy so try and locate it where it is protected from frost or biting winds if possible.and early morning sun.

I've always wondered what this means. If you want to protect it from early morning sun, presumably south- or east-facing is not a good idea. Protect it from frost, so maybe not north-facing. Which leaves west-facing?

bouicca21

The blooms survive the frost but not the rapid thaw from early morning sun. Mine have, cross fingers, survived the beast from the east. They are in pots sheltered by a west facing fence.

My soil is pretty well neutral, hence the pots. Gardeners at the local nursery said even in neutral soil camellias would struggle.

lytton

Lots of food for thought here. I went out with the intention of buying ericaceous compost from wilkos (cheapest source) and then heading in to the garden Center afterwards, but as if by magic Wilkos were selling rhododendrons, Azelias, Camelias etc for £3 a pop. Bargain. Granted I’ve had to buy it in a very early form, probs only a foot and a bit tall and not in bloom accordingly, so I’ve had to trust the colour/label description. I’m satisfied that it’s not a pack of brambles at least. Small root ball so I’ve got the chance to dig a monster hole and fill it with plenty of compost. The earth underneath is a sausage and a half; very clay like and full of builder’s guff, typical newbuild site I guess. It’s also going to be quite close to the fence so as pointed out this might limit its growth in the long term, but I don’t mind as long as it doesn’t completely cripple the shrub. Hadn’t factored in the directional impact on the flowers. The Camellia in our last place was south facing and didn’t suffer any trouble during cold spells, but then again it was well established when we moved in.