Keen gardeners need to know the best time to start pruning their camellias – and there’s one key thing to look out for
They’re one of the first harbingers of proper spring, with their colourful waxy flowers and glossy dark green leaves, and camellias are surprisingly easy to look after.
And right now, gardens and pavements are an explosion of colour thanks to the red, coral, pink and white varieties of camellia to be found.
But all too soon their season will be over, which means it’s time to be thinking ahead to how we can help them produce even more flowers next year Luckily it’s very easy to care for your camellia – all you need is a few spare minutes and some decent secateurs.
READ MORE: Best plants to prune right now to encourage glorious blooms in your garden
Rachel Cole, seed manager at Mr Fothergills, explains: “Camellias are low-maintenance shrubs that tend to thrive with minimal intervention. In general, they do not require regular pruning, making them a great choice for gardeners who want beautiful blooms without too much upkeep.
“That said, it’s always wise to remove any dead wood and spent flowers to keep your plant looking tidy and healthy.”
Timing is key, she continues, and the best time to prune your camellia is just after the plant has finished flowering. Depending on the variety you’ve planted, this could be as soon as late April, or all the way through to early June.
“Pruning at this time allows you to avoid the risk of damaging late frosts, which can be harmful if your shrub has been recently cut back,” Rachel advises.
“Exposure to frost following pruning can stress the plant and may hinder its growth or flowering potential in the following season.”
Some varieties of camellia can be pruned now if they flowered over winter, as they will have stopped by March.
And while we’ve been enjoying some warm spring weather, pruning your camellia is a job best left for a cloudy day, says gardening expert Graham Smith of LBS Horticulture.
“Too much sunlight can potentially dry out the pruning wounds on the plant,” he points out. “Additionally, waiting too long after flowering to prune camellias can mean that it is harder to avoid cutting off any new growth on the plant that will produce the following year’s flowers.”
If you’re concerned you’ve missed the boat on this year’s pruning, however, fear not, says Graham. “Camellias can be pruned at any time of the year whenever you see a branch that looks diseased or unsightly, but it is best to wait until immediately after flowering to reduce the risk of removing new growth from the plant,” he adds.
The other thing to remember is to keep your camellia well-watered during their first 18 months and keep them topped up over the summer, even after pruning, as this is when the flowers are produced, says the RHS.
“Aim to keep the soil moist and check it with trowel about 10cm (4in) down – if it feels dry at this level, water well,” the organisation adds. Avoid prolonged spells of watering with tap water if you live in a hard water area. Rainwater from a waterbutt is preferable.”
