Happy Birthday Camellia

Camellias (camellia japonica) are outdoor plants, and will bloom every winter through snow and frost. Originally from the far east, Camellias have thrived in the UK for hundreds of years and make a stunning addition to any garden for winter colour year after year.

Your Camellia will do well either grown in a container on a sheltered patio or planted out in the garden. When planting, choose a sheltered part-shaded position where you can see the winter flowers. Try to avoid a situation where the early morning sun shines on frosted plants because this can damage the flowers.

Keep your Camellia well watered whilst in a pot, the compost should feel wet to touch. However, don’t let your Camellia stand in water as this will rot the root system. It will like to be regularly watered but allow the excess water to drain away. If your plant arrives in a decorative pot without drainage holes, make sure you remove the plant to water it, allowing excess to drain away before returning it to the pot.

After flowering your Camellia plant can be re-potted in a larger pot with ericaceous compost or planted out into the ground. Camellias like acid soil, so choose compost suitable for rhododendrons, heathers and other acid-loving plants.

Over time Camellias can grow into substantial specimens several feet high. In china, where these plants originate, they have been known to reach 15ft and 500 years old. Older plants are very hardy but young plants should be protected from frost.

Problem solving:

If your plant seems to be suffering in the colder months, try keeping it a bit closer to your home, the brick wall’s residual heat will keep young plants just above freezing. Alternatively, keep it inside a greenhouse or in a porch if you have one. As your camellia matures it will become more and more hardy.