How To Plant Camellias

By Article: Rebecca Bull Reed
Photo: 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

Photo: 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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