Camellia catastrophe

Perhaps you were unlucky with the recent frosts, Kate. And you're right, it has been very wet recently. I've lost a number of hebes this year to the cold snap. I've got one camellia ina pot and that hasn't even bloomed for the last 2 years. Who knows why? I'm sure there's someone on here who can advise.

Poor thing, flower does look a little sad but then we have had such a wet winter. I love camellia but not having a big garden myself, decided not to plant one here. Have got fairly ruthless here in my old age 😂, I give a plant a couple of years to perform or it's out lol. When buying a new plant it has to work hard or stays in shop 😂.

Kate I don't think that you have to be worried ..I am sure that it is the last frost as if it was water logged the colour of the leaves will be different, yours look very healthy .....but maybe not sheltered enough

I hope it will recover for you ... it’s always distressing when our beloved plants look unwell.😥

Poor little soul. Do you have it where its out of the morning sun? The damage to the petals could be frost melting too quickly. I discovered that Camellias bud up better if you remember to keep them watered in summer when the buds are getting ready to form

Could you try it in a pot instead?
They do need watering often in the summer and will do well in a shady spot.
I am sorry it is looking sad.

Early morning sun on frosted buds is often the culprit sadly Kate. About 40% of my buds get lost every year by late frosts. I had it in a pot for years but in the end it had to go.

Thanks everyone for your feedback and advice. It is quite sheltered to an extent, it does actually get some sun, but it’s usually later on, not first thing. As Mossy said, it does seem healthy enough on the leaf part, it’s the flowers that have succumbed sadly. My soil isn’t acidic, it’s kind of neutral. I think you’re all right in regards to the recent weather, snowfall and rain. Think the frost on buds is a culprit as you said Eileen. I’ve a few buds that look ‘fairly’ ok. Time will tell, weather too!
I guess I could pot it up, but, I think I may persevere another year. Thank you everyone 🤞

I think it could have been frost Kate! I don't think camellias mind being wet! I have two large ones, but they are in pots, but still waiting for the flowers to open!

Thanks Rose, it does seem to coincide with the recent frost/snowfall. Hoping there is no more of the white stuff!
Fingers crossed yours blooms soon!

I hope so Kate !

I sympathise,I have a camellia I got 5 years ago.
It’s in a sheltered spot ,doesn’t get early morning sun.I’ve mulched it and fed it but no flowers though they’re not flowering yet here in the north east.Well I go by a neighbour 2 doors away who has one and every year it’s covered in flowers.He doesn’t feed it so sometimes just luck I think.Mine is lovely and green and looks healthy.it buds but that’s it.
Who knows maybe this year it will surprise me!!

Thanks Gerardine, yours sounds a similar situation to mine. I do have to admit though, I haven’t fed mine for a while, well, in the past year. I think I will have to get back in to feeding it this year. Saying that, your neighbour’s tells a different tale...
It is an odd one, isn’t it! I had a look at it today, buds still looking healthy as is the plant, but, will the buds open? Time will tell.
Let me know how yours progresses in the flowering process. Fingers crossed 🤞