Whether you plant camellias pots or ground depends on your soil, your climate, and your living situation. Both methods work well when done right. Ground planting gives your camellia room to grow a large root system and reach its full size. Pots give you control over the soil and the option to move your plant around.
Container camellias shine for gardeners who face tough soil. If your native dirt has a pH above 6.5 or drains poorly due to heavy clay, a pot lets you bypass those problems. You fill it with ericaceous compost and your camellia gets the acidic, well-drained mix it craves. BBC Gardeners' World recommends this approach and I've seen it work wonders in my own garden.
I grew two container camellias on my back patio for three years before I moved them into the ground. The potted plants bloomed well each year but stayed small. Their roots hit the edges of the pot and growth slowed down by the third season. Meanwhile, a japonica I planted in the ground the same year grew twice as wide and produced three times as many flowers. That told me ground planting wins for long-term size.
For ground planting, the American Camellia Society says to dig a hole 2 feet (61 cm) wider than the root ball. This gives the roots loose soil to spread into right away. Mix pine bark into the backfill to keep things acidic and well-drained. Set the root ball 2 inches above the soil line to prevent crown rot. This method lets your camellia grow into a large, healthy shrub over time.
Pots make sense in a few clear situations though. If you live in Zone 6 or colder, you can move container camellias into your garage or shed when hard freezes hit. Renters love pots because you take your plants with you when you move. Small gardens and balconies also work better with potted plants that you can tuck into corners and rearrange as you like.
If you choose growing camellias in pots for the long haul, you need to repot every 2 to 3 years. Move up one pot size each time and refresh the ericaceous compost. Feed your potted camellia in early spring with an acid-loving plant food. Water more often than you would a ground-planted one because pots dry out fast in summer heat. Check the soil moisture every few days during hot weather.
Winter care for potted camellias takes a bit more attention than ground-planted ones. Wrap the pot in bubble wrap or burlap when temperatures drop below 20°F (-7°C) to protect the roots. The roots in a pot freeze faster than roots buried deep in the ground. Move your plant to a sheltered spot near a south-facing wall for extra warmth during cold snaps.
In my experience, the best approach is to start with a pot and then transplant into the ground once you find the perfect spot. You get to test different locations around your yard without committing. Once you see your camellia thriving somewhere, plant it in the ground and let it grow to its full potential.
No matter which route you pick, make sure you use the right soil mix and give your plant partial shade. A potted camellia on a sunny patio needs a shade cloth in summer. A ground-planted one does best under tall trees that filter the light. Your camellia will do well in either setting. Just give it acidic soil, good drainage, and shade from the hot afternoon sun. Pick the method that fits your life and your camellia will reward you with beautiful blooms for years.
Read the full article: Camellia Plant Care and Growing Guide
