With flowers from late summer to winter, sasanqua camellias make a long impact on the garden. Their flowers, which may be white, pink or red and range from single to double, are also attractive to nectar-eating birds including parrots and to beneficial insects. Many sasanquas are also lightly perfumed and can be picked for a floral arrangement.
In the garden, sasanqua camellias grow as evergreen shrubs from a compact one metre high to more than four metres high. Large forms left unpruned may become small trees. Sasanquas can be grown as specimen plants but their ideal role in the gardenis to be grown as dwarf, medium or tall hedges. Camellias can also be grown in large containers in a courtyard, on a deck, or as statement plants at the main entrance to your home. Where space is restricted, train them as espaliers flat against a wall. They can also be shaped as topiary balls or as more fanciful forms.
Popular garden uses for sasanqua camellias include hedging (Hiryu pictured) and espalier.
Sasanqua camellias for hedges
Sasanqua camellias form a dense evergreen hedge 2 to 3 metres tall in three to five years. When selecting camellias for hedging, choose named varieties that grow to the height and width required and space them 50 to 90 centimetres apart. Install a drip or micro-spray irrigation system along the length of the hedge to aid watering. Use stakes to support the new plants. Remove the stakes as the trunk thickens after the first year.
One of the fastest-growing varieties for a hedge is ‘Plantation Pink’, which has single pink flowers. It is also suited to espalier.
Other reliable choices for tall hedges include ‘Jennifer Susan’ (pale pink double flowers), ‘Paradise Emily’ (pink semi-double flowers), ‘Paradise Jennifer’ (white semi-double flowers edged with pink) and ‘Pure Silk’ (white informal-double flowers flushed with pink). All grow to around 3 to 4 metres high.
For a low-growing one-metre-high hedge, select ‘Paradise Little Liane’ (white double flowers), ‘Paradise Sylvia’ (crimson-red single flowers) or another dwarf camellia.
Planting and ongoing care
Camellias can be planted year round, but the best planting time is autumn to winter. Sasanqua camellias thrive in slightly acidic soil (a pH of around 5 to 6) with several buckets of compost and aged manure dug in before planting. Regular moisture while they become established is vital, but well-established plants are drought tolerant and can withstand dry periods.
They grow in light shade but also tolerate full sun. A site with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal.
In areas with alkaline soil (pH above 7), grow camellias in large containers filled with a potting mix for acid-loving plants. Flower Power recommends Supersoil Professional Gardenia, Camellia & Azalea Potting & Planting Mix.
Prune sasanquas after flowering in late winter. Tip-pruning encourages a bushy plant, while harder pruning is used to shape a hedge. Hard pruning is also a great way to renovate sparse, leggy or oversized plants. Avoid pruning between summer and autumn when sasanquas are forming buds. For more advice on how to prune your camellias, and all plants, read this article.
Fertilise sasanqua camellias in late winter or early spring after pruning and as new growth appears. Use a specialist camellia food or a slow-release fertiliser for flowering shrubs. Flower Power recommends Kahoona, which is formulated specially for acid-loving plants. As well, apply a 2 to 3 centimetre layer of organic mulch mixed with well-rotted manure over the root system to help keep the soil moist and cool. Water plants deeply before applying fertiliser or mulch.
Avoid pruning your camellia when buds are forming between summer and autumn - you'll lose your beautiful flowers!
FAQs
Where to plant sasanqua camellias? ›
Soil: Camellia sasanqua prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. The soil should be slightly acidic, with an ideal pH range of 5.5 to 6.5. Sunlight: These plants prefer partial shade but can tolerate more sun in cooler climates.
Are sasanqua camellias fast growing? ›
On average, they may grow between 10-12 inches in a year, provided the conditions are right. However, not all camellias grow equally. Sasanqua varieties are known to grow somewhat faster than the Japanese varieties. For any camellia, their cultural environment will greatly impact how well they grow.
Does sasanqua like sun or shade? ›
The plant requires full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils with a neutral to acidic pH. It will grow in clay, loam, or sandy soils and is slightly salt tolerant. It appreciates shelter from afternoon sun, winter winds, and cold, and—once established—will tolerate drought.
Where should you not plant a camellia? ›
Also, do not plant a camellia in an area that holds water. They do not like to have wet roots, so the soil needs to be well draining.
Can camellias get too much sun? ›
While well-established camellias can take some direct sunlight, younger shrubs require partial shade to thrive. It's a good idea to plant them beneath a canopy of taller trees or near a structure that will provide shade from beaming afternoon sunlight. If they receive too much sun, their leaves will scorch and burn.
How long do sasanqua camellias live? ›
Camellia flowers range in size from 1 – 13 cm (0.4 – 5 inches) and they bloom in autumn, winter and spring. Camellia bushes can live up to 100 to 200 years, although the oldest living camellia, planted in 1347, can be found in China's Panlong Monastry.
Are Camellia sasanqua roots invasive? ›
The roots are not invasive, so they're well suited to group plantings with other plants and are an ideal foundation shrub. Leaves are a glossy bright green and the plants produce four-inch flowers.
Can Camellia sasanqua be kept small? ›
If desired, you can prune a camellia to maintain fullness or a desired shape, to form a small specimen tree that makes an ideal focal point in the landscape, or to rejuvenate an old plant that has become spindly.
What is the most beautiful sasanqua? ›
Camellia Sasanqua Sweet Jane is a true beauty of the Camella family. With its extended flowering period during the colder months of the year, this beautiful Sasanqua is a firm favorite. Pretty rose pink buds emerge, which bloom into white and pink hued flowers.
Rest easy knowing Camellias are a pet-safe 🐾 addition to any dog owner's garden 🌺. 🐶 Camellias are non-toxic to dogs, no theobromine or caffeine present. Gastrointestinal upset is rare but possible if ingested. Precautions ensure safety, like fencing off Camellias and monitoring behavior.
What is the difference between camellia and Camellia sasanqua? ›
Camellia Japonica and Camellia Sasanquas are both Camellias, but with different qualities. Japonica's are what most people think of when they think Camellia, with the large flower that blooms in winter and early spring whereas Sasanqua's have smaller flowers and bloom in the fall.
Do camellias prefer morning or afternoon sun? ›
Camellias do best in dappled shade or full shade. An area that gets morning shade is best as direct sun in the morning can dry out the developing flower buds too quickly. Choose a sheltered spot, as an exposed, windy position is likely to cause leaf and flower damage.
Can camellias handle full shade? ›
In general, camellias grow and bloom best in filtered light or partial shade, with shelter from hot afternoon sun. This is especially true for young plants, which thrive under the shade of tall trees or when grown on the north side of a house.
What is the difference between a camellia and a sasanqua? ›
Camellia Japonica and Camellia Sasanquas are both Camellias, but with different qualities. Japonica's are what most people think of when they think Camellia, with the large flower that blooms in winter and early spring whereas Sasanqua's have smaller flowers and bloom in the fall.
Why are the leaves on my Camellia sasanqua turning yellow? ›
One of the most common causes of yellowing camellia leaves is the pH level of the soil. The most common cause of nutrient deficiency in camellias is soil pH. You may notice that your camellia's new growth is coming in yellow, but the older leaves retain their usual dark green.
