Q: My camellias bloomed profusely this year but the plants are getting a bit rangy and hanging too far down over the sidewalk. When can I prune them?

A:  Camelliias generally flower quite well without any pruning but they can get a bit leggy as you have discovered, especially if they are in too much shade. Soon after flowering is the best time to cut them back a bit, so now is a good time to prune. (Camellias are dormant when in bloom and start into new growth after that). Cutting off the terminal buds will stimulate the growth of branches below them. You can actually cut off most of the previous year's growth to encourage a bushier plant. Pruning can be done in summer or early fall as well, and unwanted shoots can be removed anytime.