Camellia

Sorry, I don't know the answer to that one! But I know I'd rather gaze on a Camellia than a Fatsia! :))

I tend to agree - it was very well behaved for a couple of years! I like it quite a lot, but I'd like to see a bit more of the Camellia...

I do like the leaves of the fatsia but eventually your Camelia might be completely hidden which would be a shame.

The Camellia was about 15 feet high before it was cut down. I shall definitely lower the Fatsia if it gets much taller.

Does the fatsia flower. If it does I would let it alone. I like the secrets uncovered as I go around the garden rather than seeing everything in one fell swoop. I'd let the camellia grow up a bit more again. I would prune it so that it spreads around less. The two together give you a long season of contrasts which are really good together.

I tend to agree with you, Scotsgran. From a different angle, the camellia isn't obscured. It will grow up again, no doubt about that! I get berries on the fatsia, and I am very fond of it. Also, it is providing rather a nice framework around my bench (which is where I am sitting at the moment!). Most things get a second and a third chance in my garden, though I shall keep an eye on it!

I'm with Karen , Mel ! A Fatsia will survive most things and all I get on mine is black berries !

I shall have to cut the fatsia back anyway - it's starting to grow across the bench!

Problem solved or thrust upon you. Its great how decisive we can be when we have to be. Its good to know from members with more experience that it can be cut back without killing it off. I wonder if there is a specific time of year when pruning should be done.

I wonder, as well. I shall probably leave it until it absolutely has to be done. As you say, suddenly the decision becomes clear! But the camellia is almost over now, so I'm still being a little bit indecisive ?

Camellias do not like early morning sun on the buds or windy situations. If neither is a problem and the fatsia is not helping the camellia then I would cut away a third of it each year from now on. I would do it later in the year but maybe someone may be able to offer more specific advice. When you leave pruning till it gets far too big it is often better to cut your losses and plant something better suited to the space. I think you need to take a decision in the next six months on the long term future of the fatsia or risk it suffering the same fate as many big shrubs suffer, of not looking anything like nature intended. Sorry I cannot be more help.

I very much appreciate your advice, Scotsgran, and will follow it - it sounds right to me. The camellia is protected from early morning sun by the sycamores over the wall. In fact, the camellia has been much better since they grew up. The fatsia is on the west side of the camellia, so cutting it back will have no effect. It's only been there about 5 years, and has really only taken off in the last 2 - as these things tend to do!