Camellia sasanqua

Camellia is a showy and fragrant, broadleaf evergreen, woody shrub in the Theaceae (tea) family native to Japan. The genus Camellia is derived from Georg Josef Kamel (1706), a Jesuit missionary and naturalist who introduced Philippine flora to Europe. The species epithet is derived from the Japanese name for this species.

Camellia is a rapid grower and will reach 6 to 14 feet high by 5 to 7 feet wide. 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. This camellia blooms during the late fall and winter, making it a focus of the landscape at a time when many ornamentals enter dormancy.  It blooms in a different season than its cousin C. japonica and is also more resistant to Phytophthora root rot.

There are numerous cultivars available, including dwarf forms. Flowers may be up to 3 inches in diameter and contain a single or double row of petals. A camellia will flower over a period of four to six weeks.   

In the landscape, camellia works well as an accent plant, a privacy hedge, or a tall foundation planting. It can be pruned into a "small tree" form. When pruning, keep in mind that next year's blossoms will appear on old growth. It is slightly resistant to deer browsing.

Quick ID Hints:

• Leaves are 1 to 3 inches long.
• Leaves are evergreen, glossy, and leathery. 
• Leaves are coriaceous, crenate.
• Flowers are axillary 2 to 3 inches across, white to pink in color.
• Flowers appear late fall to winter, usually non-double.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Scale can be a troublesome insect pest. Aphids, planthoppers, and spider mites may also cause problems.  Camellias are susceptible to a number of fungal diseases including leaf spots, anthracnose, viruses, black mold, petal blight, canker, and root rot.  All camellias are susceptible to petal blight fungus; however, weather conditions are generally not favorable for the fungus to germinate when Camellia sasanquas bloom in the fall. If petal blight occurs (browning that runs from edges to the center), all infected plant parts should be promptly removed. They are intolerant of alkaline soils.  Yellow leaves with green veins may indicate chlorosis which can be treated by adding iron chelates to the soil.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common camellia diseases and insect pests.

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University