Can I keep a camellia in a pot over the winter until I can plant it next year?

alison15PkG_qk_m

I had booked a gardener to dig out three large bamboo plants, but I have been let down. unfortunately I had bought two camellias and a viburnum ready to plant in their place. I do not think I will be able to get anyone to dig out the bamboo before it’s too late to plant the camellias. Can I keep these in their small pots they came in, over the winter until the spring when I can plant them in place of the dreaded bamboo? Thanks

Fairygirl

Yes 
However, if they're tiny, it might be better to pot them on and wait till they're a bigger size before planting out. Ideally, something filling a 6 or 7 inch pot would be a good size. 

alison15PkG_qk_m

One is very large, about 4ft tall, the other a couple of feet. 

Fairygirl

They'll be fine then. If they're root bound at all, and you have  slightly bigger pots for them, it'll benefit them to be repotted though 
Anything of a decent size that's potted, can be planted at any time of year, unless ground's frozen or waterlogged. 

Daisyday

 I have a  camellia in a pot too! so thank you for that info Fairygirl. I am a little wary of roots freezing in small pots though so I might put mine in the greenhouse.

Fairygirl

They're extremely hardy, so don't need any protection unless you're in an area which gets arctic weather. 
A house wall is enough protection for potted shrubs. The biggest problem is wet which freezes, then thaws, so a house wall gives enough protection from that. Grouping pots together is also a good idea, or sticking them into borders with other shrubs. 

It also depends what people mean by small pots. I was concerned that the OP had young plants in 3 or 4 inch pots. 

alison15PkG_qk_m

Thank you

batwood14

Just to add - don't let them dry out over winter as any buds that do form will drop off. The plant puts its energy into buds between now and spring.