Camellia: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
How do you plant a camellia?
Choose a sheltered site for your camellia with soil that is acidic and drains well while retaining some moisture. Most garden varieties suit partial or dappled shade; established sasanqua types can tolerate more sun. Check the cultivar’s eventual width so it will have room to develop. Avoid cold, drying winds and a position where water remains trapped around the roots.
Check the soil before planting. Adding a little peat or acidic compost to one hole does not permanently change a chalky garden. If the ground is unsuitable, a container filled with suitable peat-free ericaceous compost is often a better choice. Autumn planting works well in mild conditions while soil remains warm; spring is also possible, especially where winter conditions make establishment difficult. Do not plant into frozen or saturated ground.
Remove weeds and prepare an area wider than the root ball. Water a dry root ball before gently removing the pot. Dig a broad hole, but do not bury the plant deeper than its original root level. Set the top of the root ball at or slightly above the surrounding soil, allowing for settling. Backfill, firm gently and water.
For container planting, use drainage holes and enough room for root growth. Add mulch without covering the stem base. Check moisture during establishment, particularly through dry weather. Moving a large established shrub requires preserving a substantial root ball; it is not the same as transplanting a small seedling.
When does a camellia flower?
How do you prune a camellia?
How to care for this plant
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Maintain the mulch
Check your camellia’s mulch and top it up only if it has thinned. Use bark or leaf mould suitable for acid-loving plants, without lime. Keep the crown clear and do not cover waterlogged soil.
