Camellias and azaleas need copious water in late summer, as that's when the buds/flowers start forming. You'll probably find they'll be fine next year. Just keep on top of watering at that time of year if it's dry for along spell. If they're in a shadier site it helps. They can cope with sun if they get plenty of rain. With Camellias, if they get frosted - common in an east facing site - the buds defrost too quickly when sun appears and get damaged too. If they drop before opening, it's lack of water though.
A good mulch round the base afterwards will also help to retain the moisture.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I think that's more likely to be a shortage of water in preceeding years, preventing good growth. It sounds like a small plant that's been originally planted, which has taken a few years to develop to flowering stage. They do require plenty of water to then grow and thrive, and can take a few years to really get going. A two year old plant can still take another three years to be substantial in size and flowering ability. If it already has flowering buds, there's not much point feeding at this stage.
Have you got a photo, Vivien? Or more info regarding the size/location etc?
I think that's more likely to be a shortage of water in preceeding years, preventing good growth. It sounds like a small plant that's been originally planted, which has taken a few years to develop to flowering stage. They do require plenty of water to then grow and thrive, and can take a few years to really get going. A two year old plant can still take another three years to be substantial in size and flowering ability. If it already has flowering buds, there's not much point feeding at this stage.
Have you got a photo, Vivien? Or more info regarding the size/location etc?
Fairygirl. Yes it was a very small plant when I was given it. I have taken some photos but I can’t seem to retrieve them from my album, grrr. Don’t know how to reply to you with photos, sorry!
You can drag the photos onto your post using a mouse. That's how I do it now and it's much easier. If they're too big to load [a blue line will progress along the top of the post if it's working] try reducing the size. Around 1MB or less is good.
ifyou can't manage that, can you describe where it is, what's around it, and how it's growing? That would help
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I think it's just too much competition for moisture, Vivien. You have honeysuckle and ivy in the same area which will be sucking up a lot of water. They're both plants which like plentiful supplies of it, and will be well established there. It's hard to see exactly how the plants are positioned in relation to each other, but that would still be my best guess. The clem looks healthy enough, so just keep it really well watered, and hopefully it will eventually come away for you and flower in future.
It may never get well enough established to perform at it's best, but the only other alternative would be to try and move it, which may be a bridge too far, or remove one of the other two plants. That could be difficult though.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
No problem. They're tough old plants, so it should be hard to kill! You can always add some decent compost and a mulch after watering too, just to keep helping it along the way. The ivy and honeysuckle can also be hacked back, as you see fit, to let more light and air in. That will give it a bit of extra help as well
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
My clematis Montanas, I have two, are doing very well even after last year. Are they getting enough water? Do C Montanas suffer from clematis wilt or other nasties ? In my experience they are usually tough and its delicate ones that suffer.
I reside in hot northern Latvia with some 500 expats from None EU England I have a 6 acres gardens and Montana Clematis newly planted against a 200 yard rose arch. My worry is hard winter may kill it before it has chance to start. Some roses have to be covered over others laugh at 23 c below. If it snows when winter starts in January all is well but some winters it freezes hard before the thick blanket of snow falls. it remains until May at latest. I know grow Explorer roses from Canada so nothing will kill them by 40 below but we are not that cold here only sea winds bother us. Montana clematis Mayleen is growing well in Riga Rhodi gardens perhaps the finest in the world over 30 hecter. All shops sell this clematis and swear by it but reading some of your comments on this subject that Montana dies in British winter makes me laugh. Do not set one againast a wall ever. Do not look after it more than water and a light feed at start of growing season have it over arch with lots of airflow.As mine in my English house have grown Montana clematis for over 28 years cannot kill them and i live in Windermere far north. Im also a resident for 12 years in Latvia as land owner. I am making headway with Hidcote gardens over two acres of garden rooms and wide avenues with green wall hedging. Offering photo shoots to model agencies when finished next Summer hopefully and stone statues and water fountain arrive. I will tell you about Montana clematis over winter.
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With Camellias, if they get frosted - common in an east facing site - the buds defrost too quickly when sun appears and get damaged too. If they drop before opening, it's lack of water though.
A good mulch round the base afterwards will also help to retain the moisture.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
If they're too big to load [a blue line will progress along the top of the post if it's working] try reducing the size. Around 1MB or less is good.
ifyou can't manage that, can you describe where it is, what's around it, and how it's growing? That would help
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It's hard to see exactly how the plants are positioned in relation to each other, but that would still be my best guess. The clem looks healthy enough, so just keep it really well watered, and hopefully it will eventually come away for you and flower in future.
It may never get well enough established to perform at it's best, but the only other alternative would be to try and move it, which may be a bridge too far, or remove one of the other two plants. That could be difficult though.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
You can always add some decent compost and a mulch after watering too, just to keep helping it along the way.
The ivy and honeysuckle can also be hacked back, as you see fit, to let more light and air in. That will give it a bit of extra help as well
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Do C Montanas suffer from clematis wilt or other nasties
? In my experience they are usually tough and its delicate ones that suffer.
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'