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Moving a strange camellia

gothgardengothgarden Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Hello all, 

I have a camellia in the garden which was unfortunately planted previously in the east facing border. It has a strange “umbrella” shape and has never grown beyond the 60cm height and maybe 2ft wide it is now, in the little time we’ve been here. It’s very green and covered in buds but has never flowered. The garden soil is not acidic so I’ve added sulphur this year and it’s looked the healthiest ever. However, I want to move it to give it a better life. Im told this is a good time of year? And as it’s so small, I thought a large pot with ericaceous compost would be ok? Any thoughts? 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Have you got a photo?
    They don't need acidic soil, neutral is fine. It's alkaline soil they don't like. It's obviously been pruned if it's that shape, which is fine, but that also might be why it hasn't flowered. 
    They become huge shrubs so if it's being pruned all the time, it will just try to produce growth in general at the expense of flowers. Lack of water at the relevant time of year is another reason for non, or poor flowering. 
    They aren't very well suited to pots long term either, for the reason I mentioned. They get big  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • gothgardengothgarden Posts: 4
    Hi there, thank you! Would you say I should just move it to a west or south border then? Will it not kill the buds? :-)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    West facing is ideal as it means they get protection from frosts which can affect the emerging buds and opening flowers. They need to have a site with adequate nourishment and moisture though. If you look at where these shrubs originate, that gives you an idea of what growing conditions they prefer. The west of Scotland has very suitable conditions for them, and they grow very easily here. If your conditions are vastly different from that, it makes it harder. The water for a start. Rainwater is needed if you live in an area with hard water. 
    If you follow the correct procedure for moving a shrub, there is very little chance of damage. Make sure it's thoroughly damp first, get as big a rootball as possible, and move to the new site, having prepped the hole. Water well and mulch if you wish, with compost or bark.
    If it hasn't had the right care before, it's slightly irrelevant about any buds it has just now, but it would certainly give it a better chance of thriving.
    It's impossible to be more accurate without photos and more info though  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • gothgardengothgarden Posts: 4
    You’re a star, thank you. We’re in Norfolk so conditions can be cold and blustery at times but not anywhere near as cold as other places! 
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