Camellias! Anyone know anything?

[WellErrr]

I've decided on camellias for the shady wall in my garden. There's a stretch of about 25-30(?) feet which needs filling.

Does anyone know of any fast growing varieties, preferably that flower at slightly different times? I've already got a Lady Campbell and two unknown reds and a pink, but they're all pretty small.

Also, the topsoil only goes down about 14". Is that ok? It's hardcore underneath - I initially planned flower beds there but it's too shady.

Thank you!

[funnyperson]

Camelia sasanqua flower in the Autumn/winter

[funnyperson]

camelia sasanqua flower in the autumn/winter

try burncose nurseries

[Kr1stina]

They like woodland conditions , semi shade with damp slightly acid rich soil .

They are supposed to do badly in east facing borders, as the early morning sun can thaw frozen buds too quickly and destroy them, it I've never found it a problem . Probably because I live in a place with very little sun !

They are beautiful in flower and deeply boring for the other 50 weeks of the year. Personally I'd put them as part of a mixed border and not alone . A bit like roses .

How deep is your border ? camellias are neither fast growing nor cheap. You will need £££££ to fill ??? 10m2 with camellias alone .

[shovetheholly]

I'm worried about your 14" of soil over hardcore. That's a real challenge. Camellias are tough - they'll grow in pots - but I would worry that they might not cope as they got larger and thirstier.

I know it's probably not what you want to hear, but I think I'd be creating some raised beds. Giving yourself another 30cm of soil to play with could make a world of difference. I appreciate that over such a length, this is a costly option, however.

[WellErrr]

Thanks shove. I'm finding it hard to find how deep the roots go online...!

Raised bed is definitely an option as the bed is currently bordered by sleepers and we have loads more plus lots of topsoil - it's just a faff to do...!

I'm hoping they'll get 6ft +. I'm also going to put a shade loving hydrangea in there and another one I saw on the shade lovers thread, the clematis armandii I think.....plus perhaps some hellebores at the bottom?

I've got 4 camellias going but they're only a foot high. I'll buy some mature ones but there's half an acre to fill so I can't spend £££ all at once.

Can you think of anything else which is shade happy and preferably evergreen??

[shovetheholly]

Half an acre?!??!?! Wooooooowzers!

Other shade-loving evergreens: viburnum tinus is a must - lovely all-year interest. Viburnum davidii is a stalwart too, as is Photinia and the lovely Choisya - a lot of people like ternata, but I greatly prefer the Choisya × dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl' for its leaf shape. Various kinds of fatsia, including the variegated ones give structure, variegated pittosporums give a denser blob of silver. Clump-forming non-invasive bamboos have a lovely form and Sarcococca hookeriana has wonderful winter scent. Mahonias are underrated, especially 'charity' and the lovely new ferny ones like soft caress. And don't forget ferns themselves - some of the loveliest are evergreen.

And if you have a partially shaded and sheltered spot, you will be the envy of the shade thread by having the perfect place for a Garrya elliptica 'James Roof'. Eleagnus also does surprisingly well in partial shade - the gold forms really sing out.

And if you can grow camellias, you should also be fine with rhodos and azaleas!

For deciduous hydrangeas, have a look at the lovely paniculata forms!

[shovetheholly]

(Oh, and most of the above will unfortunately need a raised bed or an area where there's more soil!! Sorry!!)