The right care for camellias

Camellias have many forms and need selective planting, but when you get it right the rewards are great, says Graham Rice. He explains how to care for this oriental beauty

- Graham Rice

THE first camellia plant probably arrived in Britain from China in around 1739. By 1824, 15 varieties were known, and by 1860, there were more than 600. But these were almost exclusively grown in the greenhouses and conservatories of the gentry and nobility – despite one plant known at the time to be growing outside in Yorkshire for 30 years.

At first, it seems, because the flowers were often frosted when grown outside in an unsuitable position, they were grown under cover. Now, we know that what damages the flowers is not simply the cold. Damage occurs when buds and flowers freeze too quickly at the end of the day and then thaw too quickly in the morning. If they freeze slowly and thaw slowly, damage is less likely.

Grow against a wall

So, we need to think about where to plant camellias to protect them from these conditions. In their wild homes, camellias tend to grow in the shade of lightly dappled woods, which not only diffuse hot summer sun but also protect the buds and flowers from rapid thawing and freezing. Most of us don’t have woods, so we must try a different approach – and growing camellias against a wall is ideal.

A south-facing situation is too hot and dry. An east-facing situation catches the first rays of the rising winter sun and thaws the flowers too quickly. A north wall, which is a bright situation that gets pretty much no sun at all, works well, but for me a west facing site is ideal – no morning sun, plus the last warming rays in the afternoon. Shelter from chilly winds is also a big help.