Garden Q&A: The leaves on my red camellia are yellow. How can I make it healthier?
Camellia 'Debbie ' Kells Bay House & Gardens, Co Kerry. Picture Dan Linehan
I am looking for a Camellia Debbie but cannot source in my garden centres in East Cork. Can you advise me of any variety which may be a similar colour, please? Also, I have a red camellia in my front garden which is on a slant. It has plenty of buds but the leaves are yellow. Can you advise me as to what I can do to make the shrub look healthier, please? I have rhododendrons and camellias already in my garden so I know my soil is ok.
Camellia Rosa Perfecta is probably the most similar to Debbie but not widely available. RL Wheeler is another similar variety in flower form though the colour is noticeably deeper. Camellia Debbie is a beautiful pure pink, paeony-form flower, perhaps my favourite of the pink Camellias but unfortunately, not that widely available anymore. Anticipation is another which is quite similar.
The yellowing of the leaves on Camellias is caused by mineral deficiency. Improve the soil in general on the slope by adding plenty of organic material and if you can find acidic leaf litter and pine needles then this will be great. You can also add sequestered iron to the plant several times during the growing period and this should help.
