Pruning of camellia

jennifer132

I have a double pink camellia which is about 8 feet tall and probably the same in circumference.  I have to prune it every year as it grows approx. 8-10" over the season.

I would like to take it down by about 3 feet as reaching the top while standing on a step ladder is proving difficult and dangerous now.

My concern is that this would mean losing the green top growth of the bush, leaving the top open to bare branches inside the bush.

Over time would new growth sprout from the newly exposed bare branches, creating  the same look as before but at a manageable height?

Any advice please?

Fairygirl

Hi Jennifer. Camellias are happy to carry on growing well after pruning so it's not a problem. Perhaps you could leave it till after flowering so that it can recover in better conditions. Hard pruning now will remove all the buds for next spring.

However, if you want to tackle it now, you could prune the sides and a bit of the top, and then leave the rest till after flowering, to avoid issues with cold weather appearing and killing off any new growth. It depends on  where you are and waht your garden conditions are like. 

I'd do it now though, if it was mine. 

jennifer132

thanks everyone for your advice.  I'm used to pruning it every year but was most worried about leaving a flat open top of bare branches where possibly no shoots would appear on.  Also concerned that the garden birds would miss out on their shelter in it over the cold months.  Might leave it now until the spring after which it will have time to sprout the new growth on the uncovered internal branches.  Is that making sense and sounding okay?

Fairygirl

Yes - a shapely shrub is what you're aiming for Jennifer. It makes all shrubs ugly if they just get a swoosh across the top with a hedgetrimmer!  Think of the shape it is now, and try and follow that 

jennifer132

Been away, so only just got your latest replies.  Many thanks