Camellias make fine potted plants but you need to choose wide pots, not too deep, to accommodate their shallow root systems.
Choose the varieties suited to pot culture with compact root systems. Bring them centre stage while they flower then tuck
them away somewhere cool for the summer.
Camellia 'Flame' and Rhododendron yakusimanum grow happily in containers if given thick mulch, regular water over summer and a slow release feed in spring. Short, wide tubs best accommodate their shallow root systems. Photo - photolibrary.com
These are some of our favourites:
Buttons and Bows: A formal double C. japonica, deep pink outer petals shading the white at the centre. Medium grower, flowers mid-April to mid-September
Coral Delight: Semi-double C japonica with flowers 10cm, from early June to mid-September, slow upright growth habit.
Courtesan: a striking semi-double variety of C. japonica with splashes of red and pink markings on white petals from May to September.
Moschio: A glowing cherry red variety of C. japonica flowering from mid-May to early September, that can tolerate morning winter sunshine.
Nicky Crisp: An enchanting variety of C. japonica with prolific flowering in soft pink from late May to mid-September
Feed your camellias the minute flowering is finished as the energy spent making flowers needs to be replenished. Use a camellia food; we recommend Kahoona
by Neutrog.
Click here to read Graham’s story about growing camellias:
https://www.gardenclinic.com.au/how-to-grow-article/camellia