Camellia ‘Yuletide’

Planting

Dig a hole around twice the width of the root ball and deep enough for the plant to sit at the same level it was growing in its pot. Position the shrub in the hole, backfill with soil, firm gently and water thoroughly.

Watering

Water regularly while your Camellia establishes and during dry weather. Pay particular attention to watering during summer, when the flower buds for the following season are developing.

Feeding

Feed in spring with a fertiliser suitable for acid-loving plants. Container-grown plants will also benefit from regular feeding during the growing season.

Light & Position

Choose a sheltered position in partial shade, ideally away from cold winds and early morning sun. A position where the winter flowers can be easily enjoyed, such as near a path, patio or entrance, works particularly well.

Soil

Grow in acidic to neutral, moist but well-drained soil. If your garden soil is alkaline or chalky, plant in a large container filled with ericaceous compost instead.

Give It Room to Grow

Allow plenty of space for this substantial evergreen shrub to mature. ‘Yuletide’ can eventually reach around 2.5–4m high with a spread of 1.5–2.5m, making it particularly well suited to established borders and larger garden spaces.

Pruning

Little routine pruning is needed. Remove dead or damaged growth as required and, if you need to control the size or shape, prune after flowering.

Container Care

Keep container-grown plants well watered during dry weather and make sure excess water can drain freely. Move into a larger container when needed to give the roots room to develop.

Encouraging a Good Flower Display

Don't allow the soil or compost to dry out during summer, as this is when the following season's flower buds are developing. A spring feed will also help support healthy growth and flowering.

For Winter Colour

Use ‘Yuletide’ to bring rich colour to borders during the winter months, when relatively few shrubs are flowering. Its crimson-red blooms stand out beautifully against evergreen planting.

Near Patios & Entrances

Plant where you can enjoy the flowers during winter, such as beside a path, near an entrance or within view of a patio. Its evergreen foliage continues to provide structure once flowering has finished.

Growing in Containers

Grow in a large container filled with ericaceous compost to create an evergreen feature for a patio or courtyard. Container growing is also a useful option where the garden soil is naturally alkaline.

Potted Shrubs

Our shrubs are supplied in a range of pot sizes, from smaller 9cm pots through to larger specimens in 15 litre pots. The pot size refers to the container the plant is growing in rather than the overall height or spread of the plant.

What Will My Plant Look Like?

Plants are living products and their appearance naturally changes with the seasons. The height, shape, amount of foliage and stage of growth of the plant you receive may therefore differ from the photographs shown.

During spring and summer, plants may arrive in active growth, while those ordered later in the year may be changing colour, losing their leaves or entering dormancy. Deciduous shrubs can arrive with few or no leaves during autumn and winter. This is a normal part of their seasonal growth and they will produce fresh foliage when growth resumes.

Why Do Plants Vary in Size?

Even plants supplied in the same pot size can naturally vary in height, shape and fullness. Different varieties have different growth habits, and plants may also have been trimmed at the nursery to encourage healthy, well-branched growth. The eventual height and spread shown on the product page refers to the plant's mature size rather than the size you will receive.

When Your Plant Arrives

Unpack your shrub as soon as possible and check the compost, watering if it feels dry. If conditions are suitable, it can be planted into its final position. If you can't plant straight away, keep it in its pot in a sheltered position outdoors and water as needed to prevent the compost from drying out.

When Can I Plant?

Container-grown shrubs can be planted throughout the year when ground and weather conditions are suitable. Avoid planting into frozen or waterlogged ground, and take extra care with watering when planting during warm, dry weather.