Hi, I am a novice gardener and this is my first post. I just bought a old house in Victoria West that has a huge camelia tree in the front of the house. It has probably not been pruned for years and is bushing out over the sidewalk and pushing against the front window. I am presuming that camelias can be pruned. It has beautiful lush blooms right now. What I am wondering is can I prune this tree as soon as it has stopped blooming, or should I wait until fall? I would really like to do a radical pruning to get the tree to a more manageable size, but I don't want to kill it because it is the only nice plant in the whole yard. How much can / should I take off? Also, my yard is a total disaster and I am feeling quite overwelmed. If any one can recommend a good basic beginners gardening book that isn't too technical it would be a godsend. Any help would be appreciated. EJ
Re the garden it's self. Sometimes it is a good idea to wait for a full growing season to see what comes up before going hammer and tongs at renovating. Re the Camelia yes they can be pruned. We use many of them as hedges here. Why don't you start by cutting some of the stuff away from the window. Make sure you leave your main branches for the time being. Also cut it back from your path. Do you know what variety it might be? Are you able to send a pic?. this might help http://www.wellingtongardens.co.nz/PruningHandbook/Camellia.htm someone with the same problem http://www.garden.org/boards/index.php?q=view&id=7001&board=7&top=7001 Put pruning Camelia into google and there is quiet a bit to see Liz
Do read through this thread: snow damaged camellias and pruning. Re: the book - you might get a better response if you ask the question in its own thread on the Hortboard forum.
