Autumn is the time for Camellia sasanquas and on Tuesday I noticed the first blooms of the season. Colored a milky white and tinged with rosy-pink edges, the open flowers of this species are 2-3 inches across.
Camellia sasanqua
The variety name of this particular Camellia sasanqua has been lost, but even nameless, it is a carefree, reliable fall bloomer. Maintained at roughly 6 feet tall, at this time of year the plant is full of buds and promise.
Camellia sasanqua
Camellias are evergreen and for that reason this and several other Camellias were purchased around 2003 to hide utility equipment at the northeast corner of the house. The dark green leathery leaves, as well as its dense form, make Camellias work very well for screening hedges. The blossoms are an exceptional bonus.
Camellia sasanqua
Planted tightly adjacent to the shrub currently blooming is Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide,’ which will produce bright red flowers by November. Sometimes cold weather will damage the flowers but most often there are plenty of red blossoms to float in glass dishes for the Thanksgiving dinner table.
[There is one other Camellia in the garden, though not a sasanqua. It stands further down toward the garden entrance and is a late winter-early spring variety, Camellia ‘Coral Delight’ (C. japonica × C. saluenensis).]
Someday I plan to add more Camellias to the garden. In particular I admire the white formal double flowers of Camellia sasanqua ‘Autumn Moon’. It really is lovely and I believe more white flowers are always useful. There is an open house this weekend at a local camellia nursery—maybe I will have a chance to visit and explore the Camellia world a bit more.
Your Camellia looks very spring like, lovely! We only have spring flowering ones here, must see if I can find any autumn flowering ones. Your red flowered camellia must look lovely at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Thanks Pauline. That pink color does remind one of spring–I think that’s why I’d like to look for a white one. Hope you can find a sasanqua to try for autumn.
Very pretty! I didn’t know there are some that flower so early. They are fairly popular in the UK if a sheltered spot is available, but sadly I would not be able to grow one here. How lucky you are! 😀
It is lucky to be able to grow the camellias and such. You have many fine specimens in Germany as well.
I’ve heard of the famous old specimen in Dresden and found it in Wikipedia – 230 years old and protected by a movable greenhouse in winter! http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pillnitz-Kamelienhaus.jpg
Thanks for telling me about this. That is so cool!
I do like sasanqua Camellias, it is like spring in autumn. I prefer single flowering camellias and particularly like the form of the flowers of the sasanqua varieties. Christina
Sasanquas are nice. I enjoy the way they lose their petals, making a carpet of color below them.
Love the delicate pink edges.
Bet you will have some pretty camellias too. By the way one of the tea camellia cuttings has rooted.
lovely, especially the bud!
Thanks. I think camellias like all the extra rain we’ve had this year.