Kitchen Garden Forum

Can anyone tell me what sort of root growth I can expect from a Camellia.

My neighbour has planted one about 18"- 2ft from the corner of my rear extension in his border and I am a little concerned it might affect the foundations later on. It's about 3ft high at the moment. No idea to the variety or how tall it will grow. He says he has grown it from a cutting he was given.

Thanks
Beryl.

Hi Beryl,
Camellia roots should be fairly fine with no big tap roots to worry foundations, could block a drain if it's above one and the pipe has a crack so they can find their way in. 24" is a bit close and it'll probably lean forward. That said, they don't grow very fast so I can't envisage you having any major problems.

MW

Camellias are slow growing and shallow rooted. And anyway, it's a shrub. It's only trees that are a nuisance to buildings, and even then only some — poplars and willows are the usual perpetrators.

Many thanks to you to you both. That is very reassuring. Having just had a major problem with the same neighbour erecting guttering and a down pipe on my property without permission and with no provision for drainage , I didn't want to have another problem to sort out.

Thanks again
Beryl.