I've Replaced A Camellia - With A Camellia

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We’ve all done it. We’ve planted a tree or shrub without appreciating how big it will get.

This camellia is about ten years old. It’s not the one I ordered, but it still put on a good display of pink flowers every spring.

But it’s too big for the position. Nearby shrubs are reaching away in an attempt to get to the light and avoid its ever increasing girth. It’s also growing right up against the fruit cage, making it difficult to get the roof netting on in spring and off again the autumn. After much soul searching, I decided it had to go.

Last week, out came the secateurs and loppers.

Everything went through the shredder so it will rot down and can be recycled. After a break for lunch, I managed (eventually) to get out the rootball.

It’s hard to imagine such a large plant growing from such a small space.

The old camellia was a variety of C. japonica. C. sasanqua is a much smaller bush and flowers much earlier, starting in the autumn and carrying blooms through the milder weather during the winter. I bought one in November and it has sat in a temporary home until now. After improving and feeding the soil, I moved the new occupant yesterday – today’s rain will help to water it in.

Now I can get the roof back on the fruit cage, but I think I’ll wait until the rain stops.

• 14 May, 2015
• 6 likes

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