Sunny Camellia sasanqua

Sunny Camellia sasanqua

‘Mondel’ (Pink-A-Boo) : Upright, dense, compact, shrub with graceful arching branches to 8-10’ with an equal spread.  Single to semi-double, small (2-3”) fragrant, showy, hot pink flowers, with large, bright yellow stamens.   Relative of the variety ‘Yuletide’.   

Camellia sasanqua is an evergreen shrub with fragrant single to semi-double flowers with 5-8 petals that can range in color from crisp white to fiery red - many varieties show off their bright yellow, pollen dusted stamens.   The multi-stem shrub ranges from 4-10’, has a round or oval shape and an open and airy growth habit with broad, glossy dark green foliage.  The sasanqua like a sun to part sun exposure, as opposed to the Camellia japonica which require shady conditions.   (We find it helpful to relate the word “sun” with the name sasanqua to help remember the exposure of this species.)  They are typically one half the size of the Camellia japonica with smaller foliage, flowers and less dense branching.  They also bloom earlier - mid fall to mid winter and the bloom time can be 6 weeks or more.  An unusual fact about Camellias is that they are one of the few plants that flower when they are dormant.  They are profuse bloomers although the blossoms only last a few days before the petals drop, in a process known as “shattering”.  Native to China and Japan, it was first introduced to the Western world in 1820 through the East India Trading Company.   

Plant in full sun to part shade in well drained, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter.  Provide regular water until fully established.  Adding a layer of organic mulch will retain moisture, protect the root crown and suppress weeds.  If necessary, prune immediately after flowering as new flower buds are formed on new wood in summer for the next year.  Also remove any seed pods and remains of the spent flowers and fertilize when flowering finishes, in order to supply nutrition to the developing flower buds. 

They are excellent in the garden as an accent, hedge, mass, foundation, privacy screen or specimen, in woodland gardens and outstanding in containers.  By mixing in other species and hybrids of Camellias you can extend the blooming period in the garden up to nine months.   They are considered somewhat deer resistant and are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators. 

‘Shishi Gashira’:  Low, compact bushy growth habit with a tiered branching, weeping habit to 3-4’ in height with a 6-8’ spread.  Semi-double to full double, medium (2-3”) hot pink flowers with bright yellow stamens. 

‘White Doves’ : Spreading, willowy growth habit to 3-4’ with a 6-9’ spread.  Full peony to full double form, large 3” bright white flowers with small golden stamen center.  Excellent as an espalier or low groundcover. 

‘Kanjiro’ : Vigorous, dense growth with semi-weeping habit to 6-8’ with an equal spread.  Single to semi-double, large (3”) rich, fragrant, rose-pink flowers that darken to rose red on petal edges.  

‘Setsugekka’:  Vigorous, compact, slightly weeping, upright growth habit to 6-8’ with a greater spread.  Semi-double, large (3-4”) fragrant, crisp white flowers with fluted petals and butter yellow stamens. Excellent variety for both hedging and espaliering.  in Japanese, it translates to “Snow, moon, and flowers” and refers to the simple beauty of nature. 

‘Apple Blossom’: Upright to spreading growth to 6-8’ with greater spread.  Pink buds open up to graceful, somewhat informal, semi-double pearly white, large (3-4”), fragrant blossoms blushed pink and pink edged with golden stamens. Blooms almost continuously from October to January in Northern California.  

‘Yuletide’ : Stiffly upright, dense, compact bush growth habit to 6-8’ with equal spread.  Single, small (2-3”) fiery-red flowers with large bright yellow stamens.  It is excellent as a hedge, screen or espalier.  It was first introduced in 1970 by Nuccio’s Nurseries of California. 

‘Showa-No-Sakae’:  Low, compact growth habit with willowy, arching branches to 3-4’ with 6-8’ spread.  Profuse bloomer with semi-double, ruffled, medium 2” soft pink flowers with bright yellow stamens.  The cultivar name translates to “Glory to the Showa Era”, celebrating the reign of Emperor Shōwa from 1926 -1989, known as a period of enlightened peace/harmony.  

‘T.S. White’ : Stiffly, upright dense, compact, bush growth habit to 5-7’ with equal spread.  Semi-double to peony form, small to medium (2-3”) white flowers with golden yellow stamens.