Caring for Camellias

springiness has arrived , and we are on our way to summer , so most gardeners are not thinking about their camelia ( Camelliaspp . and cvs . , Zones 6 - 10 ) . However , May and June , after camellias have finished blooming , is the in effect time to prune them . If you wait too long , you could end up cutting off next age ’ efflorescence bud . Camellias crusade unexampled foliar growth in the summer months , so late bound is a great time to give your shrubs a haircut , ensure they bloom well next class .

Grab the pruners when the last petal falls

As soon as the last flush has past times , you’re able to get crop . First , make certain you see which type of camelia you have . Camellia japonica , the most coarse case , has medium - size of it , glossy dark-green - disgraceful leaves and large formal blooming . Camellia sasanquahas smaller leaves and more delicate blooms — the flower petal fall easily from the industrial plant , like to a cherry red efflorescence . Camellia reticulatahas the largest blooms and leaves , and the shrubs have an overall long-shanked look . C. japonicaandC. sasanquadon’t mind unconstipated pruning , butC. reticulatadoesn’t respond as well to pruning , and you should only remove any deadened , discredited , or diseased wood .

Thinning is the ultimate goal

Similar to roses , snip camellia is about create infinite not for air circulation , but to allow for filtered light to infiltrate the plant . dilute one in every three to five small offset ( lower-ranking branches ) should make elbow room and encourage bloom on the gloomy areas of the industrial plant . Camellias are slow growers , so I more often than not advocate avoiding sheer larger limbs . If that is necessary , however , most camellia will raise back well in a few years . Pruning back turgid limbs ( or renovation pruning ) of camellias will result in large number of sprout , which will call for to be thin out after two to three years .

Don’t forget the after care

After pruning , add an organic fertilizer for dose - loving works , such as cottonseed meal or Hollytone . Adding iron , from roue repast or an Fe - rich fertilizer , can help camellias suffer from nourishing want ( if you are noticing any foliar yield , adjoin your local extension Robert William Service for aid identifying a possible nutritious deficiency ) . camellia benefit from adding compost and a squeamish layer of mulch , since they have shallow roots that take to be protected from drying out in the spicy summer months .

If all goes well with your pruning and fertilizing , you could expect to see new farewell and flower buds begin to seem by midsummer .

Rachel Young is the former Director of Horticulture and Garden Operations at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada , California .

Fine Gardening Recommended product

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this web site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertizing programs .

Get our late tips , how - to clause , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .

sign you up …

5 Gorgeous Camellias for Sun

Colorful Camellias for the Winter Garden in Northern California

Care Tips for Drought-Deciduous Native Plants

Water-Wise Rose Care

Join okay Gardening for a costless engage live webinar feature Dr. Janna Beckerman , a far-famed works pathologist as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical manager …

When I discern a particular sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I knew I was in difficulty . With a delightful color pattern …

When we only prioritize plants we want over plants our landscape needs , each time of year is occupy with a never - ending inclination of task : pruning , pinching , watering , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enrol the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re probable to set off on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a pair …