How To Plant Camellias

By Rebecca Bull Reed
Ralph Anderson
Get gorgeous blooms with this dependable, classic shrub. Here are our step-by-step instructions.
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Step 1: Dig

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Select a site with well-drained soil that receives part shade to full sun. Dig a hole no deeper than the pot the plant came in but twice as wide. The base of the trunk should not be below the soil line.

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Step 2: Plant

Ralph Anderson

Remove the plant from the pot, and gently loosen the roots. Place it in the hole, adding soil to raise the height, if needed. Camellias love acid, well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter such as chopped leaves or peat.

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Step 3: Maintain

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Keep roots cool with a 2-inch layer of mulch. Water regularly, especially during winter, when winds can be drying. Fertilize in spring and summer with a product formulated for camellias.

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