A camellia is often not as hardy as is often advertised. No wonder if the plant dies in the first winter. With the right strategy, however, you can get your camellia through a Central European winter very well.
The camellia is conditionally hardy
First of all, get rid of the idea that a camellia is easy to care for. Camellias are somewhat demanding, but above all they need light and sufficient water to live a long life and thrive.
What winter protection does a camellia need?
If your camellia is to overwinter outside in the garden or on the balcony, you must protect the root ball from freezing. In the field, a thick layer of brushwood and leaves or a coconut mat is sufficient. You can loosely wrap leaves and shoots with a special fleece for plants. Make sure your camellia gets enough air.
A camellia in a pot needs special protection, because the frost can get to the root ball from all sides. Place the pot on a thick wooden or styrofoam board (€35.50) and then wrap it with an old blanket, discarded jute bags or bubble wrap. Then protect the rest of the plant with plant fleece that you wrap loosely around it.
How should a young camellia overwinter?
A young camellia winters best frost-free and bright. Like many other evergreen plants, it does not tolerate darkness. However, a hibernation is very good for her. Ideally, you will have a spot that is around 10°C to 15°C where your camellia can stay for around six to eight weeks.
The essentials in brief:
- Plant/outplant or transplant in June at the latest
- put them outdoors at the earliest when they are 4 years old
- Protect the root ball with a layer of leaves and/or brushwood
- Loosely wrap above-ground plant parts with plant fleece
tips
Don't forget to water your camellia on frost-free days, its root ball should not dry out all year round, then it can live more than 100 years.