Many gardeners assume that once a camellia finishes flowering, it can be left alone for the rest of the year. In fact, the weeks immediately after the last bloom fades are the most consequential of the entire year – and what you do now will determine how well your plant performs next spring.
Camellias are evergreen shrubs that thrive in acidic soil and sheltered, lightly shaded positions. What makes them particularly distinctive is their timing: as soon as flowering ends, they begin forming buds for next year. So the decisions you make now – from pruning to feeding – directly shape next year's display.
