That's a beauty!

Alas, I have no advice on pruning.

ACS has a video on pruning, I think, much easier than trying to explain, especially without a pic of the plant. I think that is 'Magnoliaflora'

ACS has a video on pruning, I think, much easier than trying to explain, especially without a pic of the plant. I think that is 'Magnoliaflora'

It probably won't hurt your camellia to be pruned to 18", but that seems a bit drastic. It might help to see a photo of the plant's overall shape?

I agree with Florence that it looks like 'Magnoliaflora' AKA 'Hagoromo'- the leaves have those narrow tips that tuck under a bit, and the flower itself is distinctive. It's a very old and beautiful variety.

Thanks for sharing the lovely photo!

Virginia

Virginia and Florence, it was wonderful that you could identify this. I am sure that it was logged into my records, but so long ago for me to locate or even recall. Age and foggy memory, but Hagoroma does ring a bell!

Absolutely thinking that it does need pruning and it is spindly and sad for sure, age and neglect is doing a number on her. And me! I am going to read up now on some care.

Thanks for helping, Beth

Yes, it has gotten tall and rangy, so I do think pruning will help you to shape it. The important thing is to think about what size and shape you'd like to end up with (small tree or bushier shrub?), then work towards that goal. If you aren't sure, have a look at camellia photos online to see what plant shape appeals most.

Camellias respond very well to pruning, and are forgiving of a drastic approach, but if you have time, a more gradual approach will work AND give you a better idea of what you have to work with as you go.

Since you're in 9b, I think you have little to worry about in terms of seeing new growth freeze after pruning, so you can go ahead and start once you have consistently warm weather... probably March? Or if you still have blooms then, wait until the plant is done flowering.

If you prune much later, you may not get many (or any) blooms the next year, but if you go for a drastic approach, that will be true anyway... There's no law against pruning at any time it's convenient for you, but if you prune after the flower buds are set, you'll lose those blooms.

If it were me, I'd probably start by pruning anything taller than the top of the window, then give it some time to see how it fills out after that with new growth in the spring. Then keep pruning along and along for whatever shape you desire.

Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure it will look great.

Good luck,
Virginia

if you want a really nice bushy camellia then you can prune it down to 2 and a half 3 feet and continue to prune when segments get too long "about 5 to 10 inches" this promotes side branching and makes a nice full bush. i only prue my camellia sinensis large leaf's about 3 times a year really. late spring, summer, early fall.