Pruning Camelias

Hi I'm Nessa and I'm new to the forum was hoping I could get some advice

I have 5 very overgrown camelias in my garden, my house was originally a holiday let and they have been allowed to run rampant. I am planning on pruning them back hard this year. I was wondering how ruthless I could be with them was planning on chopping them back by about 1/3. Would be really grateful for some advice on this and also best time to get going with this as I need to totally overhaul the border underneath them which is running rampant with brambles etc. The Camelias are currently all in full bloom and looking wonderful in all their wildness.

 

Thanks
Great article, and good news for me I can prune them right back without worrying and sort out and redesign my borders! Yipeeee!!!Unfortunately my camera has fallen out with my computer. I need to get it sorted. Once I have I will post some pics.
2 of the camelias just need a reshape but I think the other 3 are definately in for the drastic hatstand look!

 

Hello Nessa and welcome to the forum.
Look forward to seeing your camelias.

 

Thanks Alice Sorry for not replying sooner I'm not on the computer every day.

 

Hello Nessa and welcome to Gardeners Corner. I had an overgrown Camelia until last year when
I chopped it virtually to the ground as I intended to remove it. It is now 4/5ft high and looking very healthy - only point of course is to prune after this year's flowers are over.

Best of luck.........

 

Im sure mine didnt flower until late april/may last year... and it looks like its not anywhere near ready to flower yet.

I'm in Nottinghamshire (East Midlands). After reading about nessa's camellia in full bloom already I wondered if its down to my location, or if different camellias have different flowering times. Intrigued

Since the Camellia was in the garden when we moved into this house, I have no idea what type it is.

 

Hi luke. I think it depends on the variety. Mine has big, showy double flowers and never flowers before mid-April.:WINK1: