Camellias do not require pruning. However, you may decide to prune your camellia to maintain fullness, or to rejuvinate an old plant that has become spindly.
Pruning Younger Camellia Bushes
For younger plants (1 to 10 years old) it is best to do some shaping just after the blooms have faded (late Spring or early Fall depending on the variety). Camellia 'Sasanquas' bloom during the Fall into early Winter, while Camellia 'Japonicas' bloom in late Winter through early Spring.
It is okay during any time of year to remove a stray or broken branch.
Cease any pruning of Camellias after July and you are almost guaranteed not to effect the next season's bloomage.
Rejuvination Pruning of a Camellia
If your older Camellia has become overgrown, rejuvination pruning may be necessary. An old camellia can be cut back as far as necessary, even to a stump, and will regenerate into a beautiful plant. Rejuvination pruning should be done in late Winter, just before new growth begins to emerge in Spring. Camellias.
Tree-Forming A Camellia
Whether young or old, a camellia can also be trained to grow as a small tree. To tree-form your camellia, do so in late Winter by simply pruning away lower branches and/or stems moving upward to a point that is satisfying in appearance. Step back after each cut or two to make take a look at the shape. Tree-forming may also help to rejuvinate older Camellias.
