Practical camellia care from two decades in the garden
Helen Pritchard · May 26, 2026
Most camellia problems I’ve solved over two decades trace back to one invisible culprit: soil pH. You can have perfect drainage, consistent watering, and afternoon shade—yet your camellias still yellow, drop buds, and sulk. The leaves start looking anemic. Growth stalls mid-season. That’s usually pH talking, not bad luck. Camellias are finicky about acidity. They … Read more
Helen Pritchard · January 19, 2026
Last spring, I hit a wall I hadn’t expected after two decades of growing camellias. My raised beds — which I’d built specifically for acid-loving plants — started showing signs of pH drift. Leaves on my Kanjiro’ Sasanqua turned a…
Helen Pritchard · November 7, 2025
A nursery tag will tell you a camellia wants “well-drained, acidic soil” and then leave you completely on your own to figure out what that actually means in your yard. Getting camellia soil conditions right is really the entire foundation this genus rests on—nail it, and every other aspect of care becomes far easier. Below … Read more