How to Grow and Care for Camellias

An evergreen with plenty to offer

Camellias bring glossy foliage and beautiful flowers to gardens and containers. They are not all the same size or flowering season, so read the variety label before choosing a position.

Camellia japonica varieties are widely grown for their spring flowers. Other groups flower at different times, making the plant label more useful than a general promise of winter colour.

Find the right spot

A sheltered position with partial or dappled shade suits many camellias. Check the individual variety’s needs and leave room for its mature spread. Avoid an exposed corner where cold winds can damage flowers and foliage.

Camellias need acidic growing conditions. If your soil is alkaline, a container with suitable ericaceous compost is usually a more practical choice than trying to change a whole bed.

Plant with drainage in mind

Use a pot with drainage holes and an ericaceous compost suitable for container planting. Keep the top of the rootball close to the surrounding compost level rather than burying the stems deeply.

In the ground, check drainage and soil suitability first. Firm gently and water after planting. A container can dry out faster than a border, even during cool weather.

Give next season’s buds a good start

Avoid letting the rootball dry out. Summer watering matters because this is when spring-flowering camellias form their next flower buds. Check the compost beneath the surface rather than watering only when leaves begin to wilt.

Collected rainwater is useful, especially in hard-water areas. Keep the roots moist without leaving the pot standing in water for long periods.

Feed, tidy and watch for changes

Use an ericaceous feed in the growing season according to its label. More feed is not always better, and late feeding can be unhelpful. Camellias generally need little pruning; if shaping is needed, do it after flowering.

Yellowing leaves or dropped buds can have several causes. Bring a photograph and details of your soil, pot and watering routine to Newlands before choosing a corrective treatment.