Autumn Flowering Camellia sasanqua
How to grow Autumn Flowering Camellia sasanqua
We think of Camellia as spring flowering, and that’s correct. However, there is a group of beautiful autumn and winter flowering Camellia called Camellia sasanquas. They have glossy evergreen foliage, and bright flowers in shades of pink, red, and white, ideal to lift the gloom of a dull autumn day.
Plant C. sasanquas grows best in acid soil. If your soil is not naturally acidic, plant sasanquas in a container with ericaceous compost. There is compact varieties ideal for container planting., such as C. sasanqua 'Fuji-no-yuki' pure white double flowers 1.5 x 1m. and Yuletide illustrated above, red flowers, good in containers 1.1m available from Suttons (affiliate link)
C. sasanqua is more tolerant of drier conditions and will grow in both semi-shade and (unlike the spring flowering variety) in full sun. In fact it is said they flower best in sun, C. sasanqua is much less of a woodland shrub than the spring flowering varieties. As with all Camellias, shade from the early morning sun and frost which helps to preserve the blooms.
Acidic soil is essential without which the foliage turns yellow and will appear pale.
The original varieties of C. sasanquas were not fully hardy, and pure C. sasanquas are not fully hardy, but there are now several lovely, and even scented, varieties, which are fully hardy H4 but require a sheltered position. This variety of Camellia will flower from October to December.
Popular varieties to grow are 'Maiden's blush' illustrated top left, a large shrub can reach 4m in 10-20 years. It can be grown in sun or semi shade and has delicately scented flowers.
Camellia sasanqua 'Strawberry Swirl' has light pink flowers with a central yellow boss. Evergreen, upright growth it will mature to around 4m.
Camellia 'Yuletide' illustrated above centre, as the name suggests, is usually in bloom for Christmas. Rich red flowers, with gold boss and glossy evergreen leaves, it is an ideal Christmas shrub.
There are a range of sizes, including those suitable for hedges.
When to prune Autumn flowering Camellia sasanquas
The time to prune this type of Camellia is it has finished flowering. This is likely to be late December/January. Always pick a mild day for pruning.
Deadheading Camellia will help to prolong the flowering display.
You can prune this type of Camellia easily and shape it for garden displays. You can prune it into a standard shape, prune the lower branches to lift the canopy, train it against a wall and prune it to keep it to size in its allotted space.
You can also prune and clip this type of Camellia into a hedge.
It will also recover well from a hard renovative prune. If you inherit an overgrown or sickly C. sasanquas, hard prune it.