Camelia

[Newbie]

Hello

I was given a pink Camelia by my MIL in the summer & it has sat in a large pot since then, but I have finally decided that i want to put in into the back of my flower bed (which is largely empty in the winter & in need of some shrubby stuff for interest). Now, i know that they need acid soil but would it be ok to just fill the hole it is planted in with ericaceous compost or would it be better to keep it in a pot? Also, aprox how big will it grow?

many thanks,

[Two_Sheds]

Camellias prefer neutral or acid soil, although they will tolerate slightly limey soil, if it is well drained and fertile. Prepare the soil before planting by adding leaf compost and manure.

The flowers will be burnt by frosts, so don't plant it facing east where the sun will damage it.

BBC - Gardening - Plants - Camellia

[Alison]

We used to have one at the front of our house that was over 10' tall. Tried to cut it back and transplant it when we had the extension built but it was just too big so now have a much smaller ickle one instead as I love their flowers in the spring and like the glossy leaves all winter. We've got acidic soil so no probs with the ground but my mum who has a much more neutral soil keeps hers permanently in pots.

[shushkin!]

Do u know exactly which camellia it is as they have different growth rates. They even have different growth styles ie some are nice and bushy and others are more lax and leggy.
If it is pink then I would put my money on "Donation" as it seems to be everywhere. It has a very flamboyant flower and has a nice shape as a shrub.
Some grow more quickly than others but generally they are slow so dont expect it to fill a gap anytime soon!

[nick the grief]

just make sure it doesn't dry out around this time of year so not near to large shrubs or walls - if it gets dry at the roots the buds will fall off and you get no flowers. My mum used to have loads of them in a conservatory they had on the back of the house in all size pots from 6" to dustbins !!! and it was a riot of colour in the spring.

I'd bet on Donation as well as it was the most common for years I think it's described as a silvery pink whatever that looks like