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Moving a Camelia...when's best and what to do

JetmorganJetmorgan Posts: 79
in Plants

I have a Camelia in my garden that is not happy where it is. I don't know what variety it is as it was here when I moved in. It seems to grow okay and has attempted to flower but never seems very happy and struggles a bit.

image

I think it's not happy because it's in the garden which is heavy clay soil so I've got a bag of ericaceous compost and I will be getting a large pot for it when pay day comes around. It's about 3 foot across.

When is the best time to dig it up, what sort of size of pot should I be getting for it and is there anything else I should to the plant...pruning etc etc ???

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  • JetmorganJetmorgan Posts: 79

    Thanks for that Verdun.

    Yes the leaves always look green but there are some that are yellowing on the plant. I ony get a couploe of flowers a year and they don't last very long. It is in a very shady spot that gets very little sun. It's in a border between my garden and my neighbours with a big hedge between us. I don't want to cut the hedge down as it's also sanctuary for the birds.

    So the Camelia will be coming out regardless and then I can put in perenials like Foxgloves, Verbena's and what ever else I can find to grow in a bright but shady spot. It doesn't get any sun as by the time the sun comes over the house it has started to go down and gets blocked by some trees across the road.

    The compost is just a general one I think from Gro Sure...all that my local garden centre stocks

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,081

    Sounds like it's dry, Jet. That, more than anything, will affect the flowering. The hedge will be taking a lot of moisture from it. If you can get it in a better position, water well and add a mulch, and it should do better. Some well rotted manure added to the soil, if it's light, will also help with retaining moisture through summer. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JetmorganJetmorgan Posts: 79

    Thanks again Verdun and fairygirl

    There isn't really a better spot in the garden as the rest of the front garden, where the Camelia is & north facing, I'm filling up with perenials as I want both front & back gardens working for a living and attracting the birds bees & butterflies.

    So it will be coming out and going into a pot and then I can place where ever I like in the garden and move it around. We'll see how it goes.

    Thanks for all your help

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